Marisa's Family

by ToumaxRindo

In Gensokyo, family is at the core of every household, even among the youkai. While most people are lucky to obtain a loving household, not all of them are lucky enough to be born into one. A certain black and white magician is one of these and this is her journey and search for her family.

She started as the daughter of a rich shopkeeper. A successful businessman if anyone wanted to call him that. All her life, Marisa heard talk about her father's success whenever it came to money and investments. He somehow always had things people needed like tools, books, or some other object that seemed quite valuable. He had the unhealthy obsession of going out to collect goods or making long irresponsible trips to make a salvo of deals.

But it was this obsession of his that he met her mother. She was a magician, one that will never meet or know her child as she tragically passed away not even a year after her birth. From what Marisa knew, her mother was the exact opposite of her father, always healthy, and though obsessed with magic, had a perfect balance that made her one of the best human magicians of her time. Even to this day, Marisa can still recall sitting in her mother's arms while she read a cardboard book about a fairytale to her.

But then a tragic experiment took her life. Marisa had no idea what happened as her father refused to elaborate but regardless, he banned all sorts of magic and did his best to make sure his daughter could never lay a finger on anything that belonged to her mother. He took away books on spells and potions, threw away toys that resembled wands and punished her if he ever found her near her mother's things.

Still, fate had a different idea and path for Marisa. Whenever her father was busy or distracted, she would swipe a book out from her mother's collection to read even if she didn't understand the words. At times when he stayed at his shop overnight, the young unattended infant and toddler would bring out her favorite toy wands to wave around and play with as if they were real.

That would soon change.

One day, Marisa would've moved past her toddler stage and into her first steps as a preschooler. Her father knew that she needed an education and enrolled her in a school funded and established by the wealthy Hieda family.

The teachers there would teach her everything she needed to know about life and ensure that she would be ready to take on a respectable job. If she graduated, she would have the option to work at any position at a restaurant, become a librarian, a teacher, a traveling aid, or a businesswoman. The last job appealed the most to her father who wanted her to one day succeed him in the family's Kirisame's Shop shopping business. There would be no magic and the only "magic" thing they'll ever learn is basic science for farming.

The morning of her first day of preschool was tumultuous for Marisa. Her father's harsh words still echoed in her mind as she tightened her grip on her small bag. He had raided her room the night before and found all her magic things. Their argument over her toys and desires grew until he locked her mother's things and the discarded toys. Even as she cried and screamed for her things, her father refused to listen and left her.

That morning, she refused to say anything to him and he had her sent to school alone without any guide. A customer had offered to buy something from him for three times its original price and for him, that was more important than the safety and desires of his daughter.

She was just lucky that the school was not only within the safety of the Human Village but also only a short walk away from her home. As she walked into the classroom, a sea of unfamiliar faces and new surroundings made her heart race. Standing at the front was a woman with kind eyes and a comforting smile.

"Hello, everyone!" greeted the woman. "I'm Keine Kamishirasawa, one of your teachers. Today, let's introduce ourselves and have fun. Let's start with you, Adrian."

One by one, each of the pre-schoolers did their best to introduce themselves, saying their first and last names to the best of their abilities. Some were happy, some were bored. Some had trouble pronouncing their names, others were already capable of reciting their Hiragana without any help.

When it was her turn, Marisa hesitated for a bit. She wasn't like any of the other students in her class and it seemed that out of everyone, she was the only one who didn't belong. Regardless, after a bit of gentle encouragement and nudging by her new teacher, she stood up and joined the other students who had already introduced themselves.

"My name is Marisa Kirisame and I miss my mommy."

---

It was safe to say that out of everyone, Marisa's introduction stood out the most. Unfortunately, that first impression caused her a great deal of isolation among her classmates. When it was time to play, she was always the odd one out. She was never invited by anyone to play tag or partake in dolly tea parties.

Naturally, at this age, most boys preferred playing with boys and girls preferred playing with girls but even in group activities where gender didn't matter, Marisa was still left out.

It didn't help that she was very behind in comparison to all her classmates. Many of them had been taught the first few symbols of Hiragana before they could walk. Marisa on the other hand, did not know a single thing as her mother had passed away before she reached that early learning age and when she did, her father preferred to focus on his little growing fortune over his little growing girl.

That wasn't the only thing she was behind on. Most kids had already been exposed to nursery rhymes by their parents before they were potty trained and were all capable of recognizing a few verses and lines of their favorite songs. Marisa had none because she knew none. Her mother never got the chance to sing to her daughter before passing while her father simply didn't care.

The effects were clearer than the most polished glass mirror as Marisa could not even write a single character in any language. The lack of a foundation was quite disturbing to Keine as she knew that if this were to keep up, Marisa would be held back not one but several years in both school and life.

This led to her curiosity about Marisa's home life and oftentimes, she found herself in the role of Marisa's playmate and only friend. Through this, she learned that Marisa's father was often absent from his daughter's life and Marisa's mother, a former magician, was no longer around to teach or raise her child.

While Keine understood Marisa's setbacks, it still didn't explain why she was so far behind in the educational department so she decided to pay the girl and her father a surprise visit. In reality, it was supposed to be a formal discussion as Keine sent a letter directly addressed to senior Kirisame but either he didn't care or didn't bother reading it, as he was rather surprised to see Keine right outside his doorsteps to talk about Marisa.

Surprisingly, aside from the numerous locks on one of the rooms, the place was a lot more cleaner and well kept than the usual home of a Gensokyian preschooler. There weren't any toys and books scattered on the floor, the tables looked brand new, and even the changing station was clean and well-stocked.

The meeting itself was more or less, just a redundant outline of Marisa's problems being brought up but never addressed by Marisa's father who constantly brought up his business whenever he could. It was becoming quite evident that Marisa's father cared more about his business than his daughter and because of this Marisa lacked the very foundation she needed before going to school.

It was as plain as day that Marisa's father didn't care about that so Keine decided to take matters into her own hands. From that day forward, Marisa would remain after school with Keine for extra lessons. If the school needed to be closed, Marisa would instead go to Keine's home with the teacher in order to continue her lessons. Once the lessons were over, Keine would walk her back home.

---

Initially, Marisa found it incredibly frustrating. The constant lessons and the structure in her day felt suffocating compared to her previous life. Understanding the lessons at school was already hard enough, processing everything like tv static but being forced to stay behind and endure more of that static when all her classmates were heading home to play was even more frustrating than before.

There were moments when she wanted to bolt out the door or throw her books across the room. Still, her tantrums were met with patience by Keine, who, despite her own initial struggles, remained determined to help Marisa catch up.

At first, Keine's home wasn't equipped for a preschooler. Despite being a teacher who taught pre-school, Keine never actually had to take care of children inside her home, separating her home life from her work life. In order to ensure Marisa would be able to learn and thrive in her home, Keine had to make several adjustments to create a comfortable learning environment such as setting up a child-friendly play area, stocking up on snacks, and setting up a changing station that was always ready to be used. Maintaining all this in addition to teaching Marisa was no small feat.

Keine often found herself exhausted, trying to balance her teaching duties with the extra care for Marisa. In addition to all the writing, singing, talking, and occasional dancing, she also had to prepare snacks, create break times, and also change Marisa on a near daily basis. The preschooler was quite the handful yet as time passed, she became less of a hassle and more of a blessing.

Keine's instincts and compassion slowly transformed her into a motherly figure. She offered gentle guidance and unwavering support. She started small, only teaching Marisa the very beginnings of Hiragana before moving onto simple words that only needed a few symbols.

Marisa could still recall the time she finally wrote her first word and how proud she was of it. Soon enough, she had a decent enough vocabulary that acted not only as a foundation but a gap closer between her and her classmates.

The nursery rhymes were a different story. These songs could not be taught the same way writing was and Keine had to admit it was hard to start small. But she persisted and after a while, settled with teaching Marisa one of the most simple and easy to learn nursery rhymes she could think of, "Bingo."

It took them half a year, but Marisa's determination and Keine's patience paid off. Eventually, Marisa could not only recognize "Bingo" but also sing and perform the song with joy and confidence. Additionally, she was the only one of her classmates who had a song fully memorized to the very last bit.

But that wasn't all. On days where there was no school, Keine would go out of her way to visit Marisa and take her around the village. She would teach her about holidays, buy Marisa Christmas and birthday presents, and even take her out to special events. Though Keine wasn't aware of it, she had become the mother that Marisa so desperately needed in her life.

With Keine's help, Marisa ended up being the first of her class to reach certain important milestones for growth. With Keine's gentle guidance, creativity and gentle consistency, Keine managed to help Marisa transition out of diapers and eventually out of pull-ups, making her the first of her class to use the bathroom on her own.

Marisa had also become the first of her class to finish reading a book all by herself without needing someone to help her. This led to her being the first of her class to start reading the more advanced books and stories and even though she needed Keine's guidance, she wasn't as dependent on it as the other students.

By the end of Marisa's first year as a preschooler, she had not only caught up to all her classmates but was now ahead of them in almost every way. Because of this, Keine stopped giving Marisa extra lessons but knowing how lonely the little girl felt at home, she offered to let Marisa visit her home any time she wanted as long as she had permission first.

Despite her progress at school, Marisa's home life continued to worsen bit by bit. Her father's disdain for anything related to magic grew stronger as strong as his own daughter's interest in the very thing. He not only threw out Marisa's magic toys but also found other ways to permanently get rid of them. Any magic-related book or artifact he discovered was immediately destroyed or sold off, leaving Marisa heartbroken. He tripled the security to the room that contained the items of Marisa's mother and constantly turned her room upside down looking for anything related to magic. Even simple card tricks were banned.

One evening, Keine found Marisa crying at her door after school. The teacher had just closed the school up for that night and she hadn't been aware of Marisa's arrival until now.

"What's wrong, Marisa?" Keine asked, her concern evident.

"Father found my toy wand and burned it," Marisa sobbed, her little shoulders shaking with emotion. "He said there's no place for magic in our house."

Keine felt a pang of sorrow for Marisa. She understood the little girl's pain and the importance of those items that kept her connected to her mother. As Marisa continued crying, Keine brought her into a warm embrace and utter words of reassurement.

"It's going to be okay, Marisa," said the teacher gently. "If you want, you can start keeping your magic toys here at my house. They'll be safe with me and your dad will never take them away from you again."

Marisa's eyes widened in surprise and relief.

"Really, Miss Keine?" she whispered, hope returning to her voice.

"Really," Keine confirmed with a warm smile.

That night, rather than let Marisa return home, Keine had the young girl stay with her. After hearing what Marisa's father had done, Keine knew that sending her home was likely going to put the young girl in harm's way. From that day forward, whenever Marisa brought a cherished magic toy to Keine's house, Keine had her stay the night to avoid her father's wrath. Soon, Keine had a special room reserved for Marisa and her toys, which her father would never enter or discover unless he were to give some attention to his daughter.

However, toys weren't the only thing that Keine kept safe. As time went on, Keine started letting Marisa bring books that were related to magic over and created a small personal library for Marisa.

One day, Keine came across a sight that she knew would've made Marisa cry if she saw it. Her father was selling his wife's old items for a very low price and if the sale were to go through, Marisa would lose any sort of memory related to her mother. She knew she had to stop it but reasoning with Marisa's father was nearly impossible especially when it came to magic. So Keine did the only thing she could.

She bought them. Everything ranging from books, bottles, clothes, wands, broomsticks, and jewelry, she bought and paid for with what she had. To ensure that the sale went through, Keine agreed to pay him double if he let her take the items home first and to her relief he did.

The next day, Marisa returned to school feeling a mix of sadness and anger. She had seen her father selling her mother's cherished items, and it felt like losing her mother all over again. She barely managed to focus on her lessons, and Keine noticed the change in her demeanor.

"Marisa, is something bothering you?" Keine asked gently after class.

Marisa's eyes filled with tears. "I saw Father selling my mother's things. He can get rid of my toys, but he can't take away her memory."

Keine placed a comforting hand on Marisa's shoulder. "I understand how you feel. Let's talk more about this after we finish our lessons for the day."

Later that evening, as they sat down in Keine's home, Marisa couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. "Why does he hate magic so much?" she exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why can't he let me have anything from my mother?"

Keine took a deep breath, knowing it was time to reveal what she had done. "Marisa, I need to tell you something important," she said softly.

Marisa looked up, confusion and curiosity mingling on her face.

"Yesterday, I saw your father selling your mother's items. I knew how much they meant to you, so I bought them. All of them."

Marisa's eyes widened in surprise. "You...you bought them?"

"Yes," Keine said with a gentle smile. "They're safe now, here in my home. Your mother's books, her wands, her clothes—they're all here waiting for you."

Tears of relief and gratitude welled up in Marisa's eyes. She threw her arms around Keine, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Miss Keine. Thank you so much."

Keine hugged her back, feeling a sense of fulfillment. "You're welcome, Marisa. Your mother's legacy is part of who you are, and I'm here to help you preserve it."

From that day on, knowing her mother's items were safe brought a renewed sense of hope and determination to Marisa. She continued to thrive under Keine's guidance, growing not only in her education and magical abilities but also finding the love and support she so desperately needed.

---

Everyone grows up. No matter how hard any human tries, they can not stop their bodies from aging. Even those rumored to control time can't control their biological timers that will eventually reunite them with their creator.

Marisa was among these people. As her days as a kindergartener came to end, her first day as a grade schooler began. For Marisa, aside from looks, everything seemed to be the same. Her classmates ignored her, her father was still an anti-magic workaholic, and she still had Keine as a teacher.

However, slowly but surely, small but tiny details started poking their heads and creating miniscule cracks in the vision Marisa had held. In the past, Keine had paid special attention to her, acting as the kind, caring, and compassionate mother that she never had. Now, she treated her like any other student, only reminding her about her homework, telling her to stay for tutoring if she got a bad score, and giving her exam dates.

Gone were the days of surprise visits and motherly affection. The times where she stayed warmly inside Keine's bed at night with her favorite teacher were now a distant memory despite only being a few months since her last visit. It was almost as if Keine had become a complete stranger who never even taught Marisa until now.

Marisa craved attention. Her father showed the same disinterest in her as he did nearly a year ago and she had no friends. Keine wasn't giving her any so she did what she thought was the only thing she could do.

She got into trouble. Whether it was throwing pebbles at other kids or doing something dangerous like climbing the roof, Marisa looked for ways to get Keine's attention directed towards her even if it came at a cost.

After her 10th detention in a row, and a visit from an angry Keine, Marisa's father finally had enough and for the first time since her birth, took a hard look at his daughter's issues. But like all those other times, he was forced to make a decision between family and business and for him, the choice was obvious. However, he didn't want another visit from his daughter's teacher so he turned to his apprentice and dumped the responsibility on him.

Rinnosuke Morichika had been the perfect target. An intelligent young man with a keen eye for business, Rinnosuke had always looked up to Marisa's father. The man had shown him kindness in the past, mentoring him, and eventually, they became good business partners.

But Rinnosuke's admiration for his mentor meant he never knew the full extent of his personal life, let alone that he had a daughter. So when Marisa's father handed over the responsibility of dealing with Marisa, Rinnosuke was taken aback but willing to help.

"Rinnosuke, I need you to handle my daughter's education," her father said one afternoon, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Rinnosuke, caught off guard, blinked in surprise.

"Your daughter?" he echoed, realizing for the first time the existence of Marisa.

"Yes, don't worry about the details. She just needs someone to guide her and keep her out of trouble," Marisa's father replied curtly, more focused on his business ledger.

Trusting his mentor's judgment, Rinnosuke agreed. He knew this wasn't going to be an easy task, but his respect for Marisa's father and his commitment to doing a good job drove him to take on the challenge.

Marisa, however, was wary of this sudden change.

"Who are you?" she demanded, skepticism clear in her eyes when they first met.

"I'm Rinnosuke Morichika," he replied calmly, kneeling to her eye level. "I'm here to help you with your education and make sure you stay out of trouble."

Marisa crossed her arms, still unsure about this new development. "We'll see about that," she muttered, already planning her next prank.

At first, their dynamic was rather rocky at best. If Marisa ever got into trouble, he would spend at least an hour scolding her for her bad behavior. He only asked her about school and always watched her like a hawk. He had no interest in magic and likewise, she had no interest in him or his hobbies.

Then again, people change. Slowly but surely, Marisa started to open up to him, revealing her desires to follow in her mother's footsteps. She would tell him about her classmates, her teachers, and whatever gossip that was flowing around at her school.

In exchange, Rinnosuke started softening his approach to her. Little by little, he started to share about his interest in doing business and even his knack for finding and identifying various items that were priceless.

Occasionally, Marisa would get homework help from Rinnosuke. He was great when it came to history and he would often spend his free time telling Marisa stories of the past to help her when it came to history. He was also an excellent mathematician and used his skills to impress Marisa by solving her hardest math problems in a mere two seconds to a single minute.

Though Rinnosuke was a great help to Marisa, he always maintained a balance between assisting her and outright doing her homework. He believed in teaching her how to solve problems herself, only stepping in when she truly needed guidance. Whether it was history, mathematics, or even simple spelling, Rinnosuke made sure Marisa did the work, guiding her with patience and encouragement rather than providing the answers directly.

Despite their budding bond and the progress Marisa made, she still retained a playful, childish side that she had yet to outgrow. Rinnosuke recognized this and occasionally indulged her in small but meaningful ways. He would read her bedtime stories, often recounting tales of adventure and magic that left Marisa dreaming of far-off lands and heroic deeds.

Sometimes, he made her favorite foods, knowing how much joy a simple, well-cooked meal could bring to a child. Whether it was a hearty bowl of soup or a plate of freshly baked cookies, Rinnosuke always added a special touch that made Marisa feel cherished and loved.

On weekends, Rinnosuke would take Marisa shopping, letting her choose a new toy for their play pretend adventures. Sometimes, they would pretend to be shopkeepers, with Marisa "selling" various trinkets to Rinnosuke. Other times, they embarked on fantastical quests where Marisa would wield her magical wand and Rinnosuke played the role of a wise merchant guiding her way.

These moments of tenderness and play brought a sense of normalcy and happiness to Marisa's life. They allowed her to be a child and enjoy the simple pleasures of imagination and curiosity, even as she navigated the complexities of growing up.

But just like her education, Rinnosuke had limits and at times, felt that he was overstepping his boundaries. Though he would occasionally scold Marisa, he felt bad every time he did it. She wasn't his daughter and though he was given the task to watch over her, this didn't mean he had the right to punish her for her behavior. The assistant knew he was walking along a very thin tightrope and though it was important for Marisa to have a parental figure in her life, it was also wrong to outright replace her true father.

So he stopped coming as often. The assistant still dropped by every week but he would take two or three days off in hopes of getting the father to spend more time with his daughter. He would offer to cover shifts for him but even then, he knew that his half youkai upbringing would render him isolated from many of the customers. The father had to stay to keep his business going and fortune growing.

It was as if the father had three kids, but only cared about one. From a business perspective, Rinnosuke understood him. Money was important to everyone and having more always helped. But in the eyes of a father, Rinnosuke saw a failure who valued money over the person who mattered the most in his eyes.

But leaving felt wrong. Marisa's father had taken him in and shown him kindness when others hadn't. Abandoning him over what seemed to be a disagreement on familial values seemed wrong and felt like a betrayal to not just the father but to the daughter as well. So he stayed and continued to watch her as he had been commanded to.

---

Marisa was rather surprised to learn that Rinnosuke knew Keine. She had just offhandedly mentioned her one day as her history teacher and complained about how cold she is nowadays. Rinnosuke's interests peaked at the dropping of the name and to her surprise, asked if she knew the teacher.

"Keine Kamishirasawa?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do you know her well?"

Marisa nodded and ended up spending the entire Saturday talking about the time she spent with Keine and comparing her to the present day where Keine now treated her like a regular student instead of an adoptive daughter.

Rinnosuke couldn't help but smile at Marisa's stories. His best friend from childhood was still the same and she was just as kind and caring as before. After all the talking, Rinnosuke made plans to visit his old friend.

He intended to catch up with her and maybe find a sense of closure for Marisa. She was a growing girl after all and unlike her younger years, Keine couldn't show favoritism to Marisa as a teacher.

However, his plans constantly got pushed back as business demands and his responsibilities to Marisa's education took precedence. It was "business season" as Marisa's father liked to call it and the number of clients and meetings continued to grow. Time slipped by, and the intended visit to Keine was constantly rescheduled and eventually became one of those "things to do later."

One day though, Rinnosuke heard a knock and was surprised to see the teacher standing outside the door. She too was surprised to see him at the senior Kirisame's house. The teacher had come to discuss Marisa's social situation with her father, hoping to address the girl's lack of friends and her recent troubling behavior.

The last thing she had expected was her childhood friend answering the door in place of Marisa's father. As she entered the house, Keine couldn't help but notice the business-like atmosphere of the house.

Almost any trace of magic had been wiped out and everything that Marisa currently had was not related to magic. Once the teacher had sat down, Rinnosuke offered her some tea while informing her of Marisa's father's current state.

"He's currently held up by all the business offers that he's been getting so far," stated the assistant. "He won't be joining us tonight but if you wish, I can relay your concerns to him."

"As always, he never has time for Marisa," sighed Keine. "I might as well just talk to a wall about these issues. So what are you doing here?"

Rinnosuke sighed as he lowered his cup and explained the task he had been given. As she listened, Keine couldn't help but find this within the acts of senior Kirisame. Everything he did was purely for business and if he had something that he couldn't use, he left it alone to those who wanted it.

"At the moment, I'm supposed to be a tutor for her but more often than not, I end up acting as a substitute guardian," added Rinnosuke. "Honestly, it feels like I've overstepped my boundaries but Marisa is still young. She's only in third grade and she needs that parental love and attention."

"Yes I understand that," addressed Keine. "That's why I stepped in during her early childhood years. Still, I had to do what I had to do. Still, I had to be fair and equal with all my students, not just Marisa. Even if I care for her, I can't do it the same way as before."

The two remained silent for a while before Rinnosuke decided to ask the main question: why had Keine come to visit. He never expected to hear this from Keine about Marisa.

"I came to discuss Marisa's social life. She is always alone at school with no friends. She spends most of her time indoors reading books or playing by herself," said Keine. "No one even talks to her."

"Ah, that is a big problem. Till now, I had no idea what was going on with Marisa's social life."

Keine nodded in understanding.

"To be fair, you weren't given the task of being her father. You were just told to tutor her when you could. I'm not sure-"

"Please, let me help," said Rinnosuke. "I may not be her father but I doubt he will help her. Having me take his place may not be right but it would at least be better than nothing."

The teacher then smiled at the assistant before revealing the full details of Marisa's social life.

---

The discussion proved to be fruitful and helped in pinpointing the main issue of Marisa's social life. Most children were introduced to other kids by their parents and formed their own protective circles and social groups centered around that. They started young, forming playgroups, mixing and matching until they had their own groups.

Unfortunately, Marisa's father never facilitated those introductions, and since Marisa's mother had long passed, she was unable to arrange these groups like most mothers did. It was too late for Marisa to become part of these established groups, so Rinnosuke and Keine decided on an alternate method to improve Marisa's social skills.

They began by taking her to their own social events, acting as her parental figures. At these gatherings, Marisa observed how Rinnosuke and Keine interacted with others—how they behaved in public, how they talked to people, and most importantly, how they made others feel welcome.

Little by little, Marisa started to reach out to her classmates and become more sociable with them. While she was unable to make close friends, she became more approachable than before. However, many adults were still wary of her. To them, having no biological parents present was considered bad luck, and most kept their children away from her.

With the exception of the local shrine maiden, parents were quick to hide their children or keep their attention away from Marisa. She was the only one who allowed her sole daughter, Reimu to interact and play with Marisa whenever Rinnosuke dropped by with the little girl. Unlike other parents, she was not as strict, a trait Rinnosuke suspected stemmed from her husband, a man born and raised outside of Gensokyo.

His religious beliefs were different from the typical Buddhist and Shinto teachings of Gensokyo. In fact, whenever asked about his beliefs he always responded with, "Christian." At first, this religious difference left both Keine and Rinnosuke wary about him but eventually, they had him to thank for Marisa's social development. He encouraged his wife to let Marisa play with their daughter and was one of the few people that didn't mind talking to Marisa.

However, on the days they couldn't go to the shrine, Marisa was left alone and isolated in the village. But neither the teacher or shopkeeper were willing to give up that easily. In fact, they chose to become her friends and played with her whenever they could.

Rinnosuke and Keine had become something of parents to Marisa. While she didn't call them "mom" or "dad," she viewed them as such in her heart. Their constant presence, love, and support filled the void left by her biological parents.

Her fourth grade winter in particular was turning out to be one of the best she had ever experienced. Rinnosuke and Keine were her family now, and she cherished every moment she could spend with them.

Winter break brought joy and adventure. Without the constant demands of school, the schoolteacher, assistant, and daughter spent their days playing in the snow, going out to eat at warm places, and sharing stories around a warm fire.

Christmas was particularly special. Rinnosuke and Keine went out of their way to make it memorable for Marisa. The house was adorned with decorations, and gifts were exchanged under a beautifully decorated tree. For the first time, Marisa felt what it was like to be part of a loving family during the holidays.

Despite her father's continued absence and blindness to her needs, Marisa had learned to ignore him and focus on her own aspirations. She was determined to become a magician like her mother. With Rinnosuke and Keine's encouragement and support, she dedicated herself to studying magic in secret, savoring each moment as she grew closer to her dream.

As the year came to a close, Marisa never felt so complete and at home. She wanted this to go on forever and for as long as she lived. During the summer of her new year, she wrote a wish during the Tanabata festival that she hoped would come true.

"Please make Keine and Rinnosuke my real mom and dad."

---

But that wish would not come true.

The following year, Marisa started 5th grade and began to feel the same neglect as before. This time, though, no one was there to give her the attention she needed.

Rinnosuke had left to start his own business, Kourindou, when the summer ended. Marisa didn't know why, but Rinnosuke had had enough. Though he had taken on a fatherly role for Marisa, he knew it was wrong to steal her away from her father entirely. He had hoped that by leaving, Marisa's father would finally spend more time with his daughter instead of his enormous fortune that rivaled the Hieda family's.

That wasn't the only reason he had left, though. As a half-youkai, most people didn't feel comfortable around him. There was a lot of stigma around youkai regardless of the kind, and most were not welcome in the village they lived in. In fact, most people outright tried to avoid him whenever they could.

With the exception of Keine, who was turned into a half-youkai by simple bad luck and coincidence, most people with youkai blood were labeled as suspicious. Rinnosuke knew it was only a matter of time before he would cost the business its customers.

So he decided to leave and open his own store outside the human village. Though it was dangerous, being a half-youkai meant that he wouldn't be attacked by youkai, and being half-human meant he could return to the village any time he wanted. He also didn't want to remain an assistant forever and hoped to open his own store to serve both humans and youkai alike.

He also could no longer turn a blind eye to the neglect that Marisa's father showed his daughter and knew that leaving would force him to reconsider his values. Though Rinnosuke respected his mentor and valued his business sense, there were things he could not support and neglecting one's family was one of them.

Meanwhile, Keine was too busy to take care of Marisa. A new influx of students had arrived, most of them toddlers preparing for preschool. Gensokyo was experiencing one of its greatest baby booms as both humans and youkai started reproducing quickly. Part of this resulted from new medicines increasing the survival rate of newborn children and the fertility rates of adults.

The trend of marrying young and having as many children as possible had become popular, and Keine was now dealing with the sudden baby boom in her classrooms. Instead of taking care of a small class, she was managing several dozen toddlers nearly every day.

Even if she wanted to, she simply didn't have the time for Marisa anymore. Marisa soon grew distant from her, no longer able to see her teacher except during history lessons. But even as she neared her pre-teen years, Marisa still needed parental guidance and attention.

Just like before, Marisa had to resort to various ways to get attention. However, she knew that dropping her grades wouldn't help, nor would it garner her the attention she desired from Keine or Rinnosuke. So she rebelled.

She dyed her hair red, tried to stand out in class by being boisterous, and wore clothes that students usually didn't wear. She ran outside the village several times, brought back animals, and hung around bad company.

But none of it worked, at least on Keine. She was too busy dealing with the other kids to have time for Marisa. Rinnosuke, on the other hand, became concerned when he learned about Marisa's new habits and behaviors. It was rather strange for Marisa to go everywhere in a purple witch outfit complete with a hat and carry a wand.

Though she remained social, there was much talk about her odd behavior. While Rinnosuke was concerned, it wasn't enough to prompt him to address her actions.

"It's just a phase," he thought. "She'll be back to normal soon."

But she didn't, and unbeknownst to Rinnosuke and Keine, Marisa had gotten her father's attention but for all the wrong reasons. Detailing every aspect would be too painful, but one night, the young wannabe magician got into a terrible argument with her father, causing her to leave home in a fit of rage and sadness.

The little girl had nowhere to go. The assistant, now a shopkeeper, never told her where he lived after moving out, and her favorite teacher had forgotten her. So she did the only thing she could—run and cry.

Marisa cried for the father who cared for her, the mother who adored her, the family she once had. She cried for the mother she never knew but always wanted to be, she cried for unconditional love, affection, and attention that every child received but she never got. She cried for the home she never knew or experienced. She cried for everything she could've had but lost.

Life was unfair to her, always playing the cruel trick of giving her a present and then taking it away whenever it was convenient. But it was in her lowest valley that she met someone who would change her life.

A spirit who aspired to change the world, seize the ultimate power, and reshape Gensokyo to her own desires found the crying young girl and, feeling pity, offered her shelter and guidance. When she discovered the girl's desire to be a magician, the spirit took her under her wing and made Marisa her apprentice. In turn, Marisa carried out the spirit's will, performing mischief and using every method she could to become stronger.

For two years, Marisa trained under the spirit, enhancing her magical skills till she reached her limit. Mima's guidance was strict but effective for the young magician. She thrived under the intense training, channeling her sorrow and pain into her craft while retaining control over her own emotions. Most magicians would've given up and some would've passed but Marisa persevered.

From "borrowing" books to copying moves, Marisa found ways to replicate spells, refine them, and enhance them to the point where they had become separate from their original owners. The evil spirit, now her teacher, Mima, had become something of a mother to the young magician, filling the void that Rinnosuke and Keine had left and nurturing her into becoming one of the most powerful human magicians anyone could be.

Magic wasn't just a simple trick or tool for Marisa. It was a connection, a bond between her and the mother that she never met. It was her way of preserving her mother's legacy while establishing her own.

Then came the day of their invasion. For years, Mima had planned this attack, spending countless hours preparing for every possible outcome. The Hakurei miko had long since passed away with her husband from unknown causes. The loving couple had disappeared several years ago, with many speculating they had left for the husband's home outside of Gensokyo. No one knew what happened to them afterward, but one thing was certain: they did not take everything with them. Their daughter, Reimu, was the same age as Marisa, yet too young to shoulder all her responsibilities as the Hakurei miko.

The young girl had only begun her training, relying on an elderly tortoise to fly and using her yin-yang orbs as retractable bouncing balls. She was nothing like her mother, her power only a mere fraction of what it could be. For Mima, it was time to strike, and she sent all her loyal followers to take her power.

But her grand plan ended in failure. What Mima hadn't expected was just how strong the Hakurei bloodline was, even in its early stages. Not even Marisa stood a chance against the young, untrained shrine maiden.

Over the course of several hours, her grand scheme fell apart and both Mima and Marisa were punished for their actions. Mima was sealed into the shrine while Marisa was forced to help Reimu with her shrine.

Surprisingly, Reimu was quite nice to Marisa despite her recent actions and plotting. Though Marisa was skeptical of her at first, she eventually began to open up and over the course of a few days, she remembered the shrine maiden as her first friend and teared up at her reunion. Their friendship was quickly re-established and eventually, they trusted each other so much, Reimu let Marisa unseal Mima under the condition that the spirit would not cause any more trouble for the shrine.

The spirit remained true to her promise as all the trouble she caused was unrelated to the Hakurei Shrine's business. At times, she would return to bother and assist the young maiden whenever she could.

On the other hand, Marisa grew stronger and at times, helped Reimu with her training. The two worked together to solve various incidents and garnered fame as the best incident resolvers in Gensokyo. Marisa would even grow out of her rebellious phase, allowing her hair to return to its natural blonde state and at long last return to the Human Village.

But her life would never be the same. Due to her absence, she was no longer seen as a student inside Keine's school and had been dropped from her class altogether. Her bond with Keine had been lost.

Even worse, her father, the one who was supposed to raise and nurture her, had remarried and replaced her. Marisa had argued many times with her father over their family but in every one of those arguments, her father waved her away like yesterday's flyers and focused on his business. Whenever the topic of her mother was brought up, he pretended not to know her and as a further insult, brought up the "magic sale" he made to Keine as the biggest deal in his life.

Now, Marisa knew why and the truth hit her hard. The pain and betrayal was sharper than any sword a man could craft and the fragments of her heart outnumbered the sand in the desert. He had another woman, a replacement for his first love and Marisa's mother. She bore him a new daughter, one who had the same business sense as him and cared more about the family's business than she ever could.

At every crossroad of his life, not once had he chosen her over his business and now, his actions were rewarded. Marisa couldn't take it anymore and after spending her last night at home, she packed her things and left without leaving a note.

---

Marisa knew she couldn't stay at the human village so she began wandering aimlessly on the outskirts of the Human Village. The pain of betrayal and loneliness gnawed at her, but she kept moving, hoping to find a place where she could finally belong.

During her wanderings, she occasionally met Alice Margatroid, the magician she and Reimu fought in Makai. Though initially hostile, the young magician eventually became a good friend to her. Alice's company was a brief but welcome distraction from Marisa's sorrow.

The two would chat and share stories, but their encounters were always fleeting. Alice did not live in Gensokyo. In fact, she was still in the process of moving from Makai to Gensokyo. Until then, she always had to go back to Makai whenever she needed to rest.

Since she knew of Marisa's living situation, Alice often invited Marisa to visit Makai, but Marisa declined each time. The realm of Makai was not suitable for humans like her—it was a place of demons and dangers, far removed from the life she knew.

Then there was Reimu. Marisa would always visit her whenever she could while hauling her belongings. Reimu clearly didn't mind the visits but it was clear that her shrine was not big enough for Marisa to store all her belongings and even so, Marisa didn't want to trouble her best friend with her problems.

However, it seemed that Lady Luck had decided that the time was right to give Marisa a little bit of fortune to ease her pains.

One chilly evening, as Marisa wandered around the Forest of Magic, she felt a familiar presence behind her. Turning around, she was surprised to see Rinnosuke standing there, concern etched on his face.

"Marisa," he called out gently, stepping toward her. "What are you doing out here?"

Though he no longer wore the same clothes during his days as an assistant for Marisa's father, his appearance and demeanor were still the same as before. His tone was not one of kindness but of worry and an unspoken affection that Marisa had not felt for a very long time.

"I... I couldn't stay at home. My… my father… he's a changed man and I…"

The magician was about ready to break into tears again but she stayed strong and did her best to prevent the dam from breaking. However, a gentle touch on the shoulder was more than enough to shatter it and a wave of tears burst out as she embraced the man who had been more of a father than her real father could.

Rinnosuke held her tightly. He had been worried for Marisa's safety for the longest of time and when he learned that she ran away, he spent countless hours looking for her. Now, here she was, safe in his arms and almost back to normal.

"It's gonna be alright," reassured the shopkeeper. "Come on, let's get you to my store. You can stay with me for as long as you need."

With tears in her eyes, Marisa nodded and followed Rinnosuke back to his store. Within a few days, Kourindou became her new home, a place of refuge where she could heal and rebuild her shattered life. Rinnosuke cared for her with the same warmth and kindness he had shown before, providing the stability and support she desperately needed in her life.

He taught her basic but necessary life skills like cooking, cleaning, and DIY construction. He helped her build her own new home in the Forest of Magic and taught her how to gather food and what items could be kept and what items should be traded.

He also gave her a Mini-Hakkero in order to make survival on the go more easier as the item not only acted as a weapon but as a furnace, flamethrower, air conditioner, and table top stove. The item became her most treasured essential and Marisa carried it everywhere with her.

Eventually, Marisa was able to safely settle in the Forest of Magic thanks to Rinnosuke's help and by luck, it just happened to be near Rinnosuke's shop. Mima also moved in with her albeit temporarily. Spirits unless they could be given a purpose, would disappear and find rest within a few short years.

Mima was nearing her time, and soon, Marisa wouldn't see her again for a very long time. On her final day, Marisa decided to ask her mother figure a question that had plagued her for the longest time: who was she before she died.

Mima only said two words, but those two words were enough to tell Marisa who Mima was. "Your mother."

"You're… my…?" asked Marisa.

Mima nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "Yes, my dear Marisa. I've watched over you for so long, guiding you, helping you grow into the person you were meant to be. The only reason why I was able to remain in this world for so long was because I wanted to give you that childhood that you never had."

Tears welled up in Marisa's eyes as she struggled to process the revelation. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Mima sighed softly. "There were many reasons, my love. You were so young, and I didn't want to burden you with the truth before you were ready. But you've grown so much, and I see the strength and kindness in you. It's time you know."

The two sat down, and Marisa hung on every word as Mima recounted stories of her past, her love for Marisa's father, and the dreams she had for her daughter. They talked for hours, sharing memories and emotions that had been locked away for so long.

Mima took Marisa's hand, squeezing it gently. "You've made me so proud, Marisa. Your strength, your determination, your kindness—they all remind me of why I loved your father so much, and why I love you."

Marisa's tears flowed freely as she hugged Mima tightly. "I love you, Mom. I always have, even before I knew who you really were."

Mima returned the embrace, her voice filled with emotion. "I know, my sweet Marisa. And I will always love you. No matter where you go, I will be with you in spirit, guiding you, protecting you."

As the sun began to set, Mima's form started to fade. Marisa clung to her, not wanting to let go. "Please, don't leave me," she pleaded.

Mima placed a kiss on Marisa's forehead. "I have to, my love. My time here is done, but your journey is just beginning. Never forget that I am proud of you and that my love will always be with you."

Marisa teared up as she felt her mother's presence fade, a sign that her time was up.

"Don't worry, you'll see me again one day. Until then, I've entrusted someone else to watch over you and take my place," reassured Mima. "I love you."

With one final smile, Mima disappeared, leaving Marisa feeling a mix of sorrow and hope. She wiped her tears, knowing that her mother's love and pride would forever be a guiding light in her life.

---

Despite the loss of her mother, it had been a good two years for Marisa. She had strengthened her friendship with Reimu and became strong enough to start solving incidents on her own. Her Mini-Hakkero replaced her wand and became one of her most crucial tools in solving incidents. With a single blast of her Master Spark, she could take out most of her opponents in one hit—a feat that not many could achieve.

The move, though "borrowed" from Yuuka, had been refined and improved to the point where Yuuka couldn't blame her for using her signature attack. For an old youkai like Yuuka, it was nice to see her legacy live on through Marisa, even if it meant letting her moves get "borrowed."

Her feats didn't end there. Marisa became the second person to use the newly implemented spell-card system and mastered it over the course of a few days. She even bragged about it to Rinnosuke, who, despite having no interest in adventure or violence, couldn't help but smile whenever she reached a new milestone.

Then came the heroics. Marisa and her best friend Reimu solved their first incident together, side by side. The incident was caused by a vampire who used her powers to create a red mist that not only covered the sun but also left people unable to see their surroundings. Her servants had powers that rivaled the strongest fighters of Gensokyo, and the vampire herself was capable of tampering with fate. But Reimu and Marisa's strength was too much for the vampire, who was forced to remove the mist a few days after being defeated. Though Reimu did most of the work, she had to admit, if it weren't for Marisa, the mist would have lingered longer and more people would have been hurt.

Then came the vampire's younger sister, Flandre, whose powers were so strong that she wasn't allowed out of her room. Once again, Reimu and Marisa had to return to the troublesome mansion to force her back into the basement where she belonged. However, the young girl repeatedly tried to escape, and soon, Reimu wanted to throw in the towel.

Marisa had a plan. After the nth time Flandre broke out, Marisa struck a deal with her. She promised to occasionally visit if Flandre agreed to be a good little sister and not cause unnecessary trouble. The young girl agreed, and with that, the first incident with Reimu was officially solved.

Their second incident together involved someone stealing Gensokyo's spring season with the intent of using it to unseal a world-ending tree. The heroes were joined by the time-stopping maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, who helped them catch the culprit and return Gensokyo to its normal state.

Afterward, the three challenged Yukari, one of Gensokyo's sages, and received overnight fame when they emerged victorious. For days, they were swarmed with questions, but only Reimu answered them. The maid was too busy to acknowledge the reporters, and Marisa wanted to focus on other matters.

Marisa remained true to her promise and visited the mansion as much as she could. Though she had the ulterior motive of "borrowing" books from its library, she would often drop by the basement to keep Flandre company until the vampire had matured and was allowed outside her room.

Her visits, though irksome to most residents of the mansion, were not entirely unwelcome. Eventually, they grew fond of her and treated her like an annoying family member. The maid, Sakuya, would turn a blind eye to her "borrowing" and serve her snacks as a guest. The gatekeeper would pretend to sleep and slack off whenever she came around while Remilia invited her to parties and pretended not to see her at all. Even Patchouli, the main victim to her burglaries, left her alone for the most part.

On the other hand, Flandre was the only one who sought her out and though Marisa didn't mind her, she didn't feel too comfortable around the little sister. Aside from her powers, Marisa knew that young children like her could tell when someone was hiding something and she didn't want to be a bad influence to her. If Flandre ever found out about her past, it could spell disaster and this time, not even Reimu could stop her.

Speaking of her past, Marisa had completely cut ties with her father. Though Marisa had already left her father behind, she thought that one last visit wouldn't hurt. After spending her day trading items and chatting with Rinnosuke at Kourindou, she decided to head to the village.

As she approached her father's home, Marisa couldn't help but notice how grand and prosperous it had become. Her father was more successful than ever before, clearly one of the wealthiest people in Gensokyo. A small mansion now stood in place of his old two-story home, bustling with servants and adorned with expensive decor. The opulence was a stark contrast to Marisa's memories of her previous life.

Marisa took a deep breath and walked towards the entrance. She stayed at a distance, observing the scene before her. Her father was surrounded by business associates, discussing lucrative deals and investments. He looked every bit the successful businessman, with an air of authority and confidence. Any person would've been proud to see their parents reaching such levels of success. But for Marisa, she was disappointed. It had been four years since she left, and not once had he changed.

She had hoped that he would come to his senses and remember the daughter that his first wife had borne to him. She hoped that he would seek her out and acknowledge her. She had hoped that he would become the man he was supposed to be in her life.

But she had hoped for too much. Standing before her in that room was not her father, nor even a shadow of her father. Instead, the man in that room was a stranger—a businessman consumed by his own greed. It was only by blind luck and misfortune that she shared the same last name as him.

With a pang of sadness and a heavy heart, she finally left the house that was never her home. As she wandered through the village, Marisa couldn't help but notice Keine watching over some children in the distance. Seeing her reminded Marisa of the life she could've had if she didn't run away to pursue her passions.

She would've likely finished her schooling by now and begun looking for a suitable husband or job to support her. Perhaps she would've been the village matchmaker or a youkai guard. Thanks to Reimu, she was into romance stories and would've loved to replicate one in real life. She was also strong and skilled at negotiating with youkai, so being part of the youkai guard wouldn't have been a problem for someone like her.

Still, she made her choice and now, she had to live with it. By choosing to be a magician, she had to cut her old connections with Keine to build new ones with people like Mima and Alice. Still, a part of her longed to return to the days when Keine held her and kept her safe like a real mother would.

As Marisa was about to leave, she saw Keine bid the children goodbye before taking the hand of a young girl to walk her home. Marisa's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the girl walking with Keine. It was none other than her father's daughter—the one he had with his new wife after she ran away from home.

As Keine took her back, the girl had a smile that reminded Marisa of her younger self but with a real loving family. When she tripped, Keine caught her with a smile and, to Marisa's surprise, laughed and held her the same way she once held Marisa.

To others, the sight was adorable, but to Marisa, it felt like betrayal and replacement. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the scene. Even though it had been three years, the motherly love and care that Keine once gave her meant everything to the magician. Now here she was, watching the same teacher giving it to the girl that replaced her in her father's life and now, in her teacher's life.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Marisa hopped on her broom and flew out of the village. Her father replacing her, she could understand. He was never a father to her anyway. But Keine replacing her was too much for her to handle. She trusted her, loved her, and always sought her. The teacher was more than just a teacher to her. She was her mother. And now, she was gone along with the rest of the hopes she brought to the village.

---

Rinnosuke knew Marisa was an emotional person. She always spoke her mind out about everything. When she lied, she did it in a way that though shameless, had a friendly teasing tone that was easy to forgive. If she stole something, she made sure the victims knew why she went after that item in the first place. Unless the items were books, Marisa would usually return them after she was finished with the item and though it was a bad habit, at least she did give most of the items back.

But the past few days were different. For one, Marisa didn't steal from anyone at least, not since her last trip to the SDM a few weeks ago. Yet, she seemed down and had the same behavior she usually had when she had been caught and punished for her burglary. Rinnosuke had popped the question to her a few times though so far, Marisa hadn't said a thing.

She was acting like a little kid throwing a tantrum after their parents had grounded them for breaking something. But as far as Rinnosuke was concerned, Marisa had done nothing that would've warranted this type of behavior at least, not recently.

Knowing better than to beat a dead horse, he sent a letter to Alice and Keine to take Marisa out on a small walk and figure out what's going on. Keine turned him down, she was too busy to deal with this matter but Alice took him up on it and that night, she paid her neighbor and friend a visit in hopes of helping Rinnosuke discover what's been on Marisa's mind.

However, that night, another incident emerged and Alice was unable to ask her friend for information. This time, someone had replaced the moon and made the night permanent and due to the scale of this incident, the two had to team up with Reimu, Yukari, Remilia, Sakuya, Yuyuko, and Youmu to catch the culprit.

At first, they believed the culprit was at the human village but upon storming the place, they could not find a single trace of the village. Everything had disappeared and the only person still present to give answers was Keine.

The struggle was brief but fierce and Marisa found herself more hesitant than ever to fight. Though she was upset over the recent events and had the chance, a part of her still longed for her mother figure and that part also wished to come to an understanding with her.

She held back and was only saved by Reimu and Alice's intervention. By then, they learned that the true culprits resided in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost and their partners had established a reliable method to locate the masterminds. Though it took them a week, they eventually managed to restore the daylight cycle and punish the proper culprits.

Almost a week after the incident, things had finally returned to normal or what could've been normal in Gensokyo. Though the culprits, Eirin, Kaguya, Reisen, and Tewi nearly tore Gensokyo apart with their actions, the group had been quick to apologize for their involvement and offered compensation.

Notably, Kaguya had invited the group to the Bamboo Forest of the Lost for a "Trial of Guts," a challenge she had designed to help everyone regain their composure and resolve. The trial was simple in concept: each pair of adventurers would be tasked with locating and defeating a fire youkai, but there was a catch. The youkai they were meant to find wasn't a typical enemy—it was a creature capable of both immense destruction and quick thinking, a true test of their abilities. The participants were divided into their previous teams, and Marisa found herself once again paired with Alice.

As the two set out into the thick bamboo forest, Alice did her best to probe Marisa but was unsuccessful. Though Marisa and Alice knew each other for a long time, Marisa guarded her past from most of her friends including those closest to her. Even Reimu didn't know the full details and the magician was more than just a friend to Reimu.

Though their mission in the forest was clear, the atmosphere was heavy. The tension was palpable, though neither spoke of it. Even when Alice tried to offer Marisa a reassuring word, Marisa only waved it off with a small "thanks." Her mind was distracted and somewhere outside the bamboo forest of the lost or rather, some time.

As the challenge continued, they decided to split up to cover more ground, with Marisa taking the west side of the forest while Alice took the east. Though this reduced their combat power, they knew that it was fast this way and if any of them were to encounter the fire youkai, they could easily send a signal to the other for help.

Soon enough Marisa found what she was looking for: a small clearing bathed in a golden light with a small house at the very end of it. According to the lunar princess, this was where the fire youkai resided, but instead of finding her target, she found herself staring at a familiar figure standing in the center of the clearing.

It was Keine. The school teacher had come a very long way from her home in the human village to arrive at this location. Yet, Marisa knew that the teacher shouldn't be here. Though she was aware of their most recent incident, she had not taken part in any of it and should've not received an invitation to the Trial of Guts.

Yet, here she was, and Marisa's heart skipped a beat upon realizing she wasn't dreaming. She had been avoiding Keine since their last encounter, but now they were face to face once more. It seemed that fate had decided that this would be the perfect prank to pull and made sure something had been tampered for this meeting to happen.

Before Marisa could say anything, flames arose and Marisa knew that the fire youkai had been found by someone who was now doing battle with it. She tried to take off to find it but before she could, Keine stood in her way again.

It was at that moment Marisa realized the truth—Keine wasn't here to fight her. She was here to protect someone. A part of her longed to discover who that person was but another part of her didn't care. The person who she once saw as a mother didn't matter to her. Not since she started caring for her step-sister.

Keine's face was filled with worry upon sensing the conflict in Marisa. Her expression only deepened upon realizing the source. She wanted to tell Marisa the truth but she knew that it would be futile. Keine had raised the magician for nearly half of the girl's life now and she was not one to forget Marisa's old behavior.

"You don't have to fight me, Marisa. The youkai you're after is someone I care about. Please don't do this."

"Keine…"

Every word that came out of their mouth was another bullet for each side. The battle continued to rage on in back and both Marisa and Keine knew that they needed to head to the site of the battle. The full moon was emerging and Keine's form began to change. Marisa had seen it on occasions but never had she ever dealt with it.

It was at this point, Marisa knew that she had to deal with Keine one way or another. She pulled out her mini-Hakkero but before she could make a move, she was knocked off her broom with a swift strong blow. Her last thoughts were on who the fire youkai was and how long it will take for her to wake.

Meanwhile, Keine rushed to the scene of the battle and found Mokou badly beaten by seven people. Each one of them had the smell of fire on them but were unharmed for the most part. Though there was talk about immortality, none of them intended to follow through with the gruesome process that would be needed to become immortal.

As each one of them made their way home, Mokou joined Keine in returning to the fire youkai's home. As an immortal, Mokou easily healed up from all the damage she had taken and soon enough, she was back to normal while Keine helped fix a part of her burnt out shack.

Mokou's constant fights with Kaguya meant that she was pretty used to this sort of thing and preferred living in a shack than an actual home. Even after Keine's attempts to help her move, the immortal was adamant about staying where she was and after repairing a shelf, Keine got ready to leave.

On the way out, Keine picked up a sleeping Marisa to take back to the Human Village. The magician was only knocked out and was mostly unharmed for the most part. Though Marisa could take care of herself, Keine did not feel comfortable with leaving Marisa in the forest and since she had no idea where Marisa currently resided, she decided to head back to the human village.

Kourindou was closed so even if Keine wanted, she couldn't ask Rinnosuke for help. She knew that taking Marisa to the village was a bit of a risk since even though most people didn't mind her, being on the receiving end of Marisa's father's wrath was not something she or anyone in the village wanted to think about.

In the end, she decided to settle for her home. It was probably the only place Marisa wouldn't mind staying at without getting into any sort of trouble. As they entered, Keine couldn't help but notice how much her house has changed since she started teaching Marisa, tutoring other students, and when she first started.

Actually, teaching wasn't the right word. She more or less raised Marisa as her own daughter and even though she had been away for almost three years, Keine still saw the magician as the same little girl she had nurtured all those years ago.

It was getting late and Keine needed a place for Marisa to sleep. All her current guest beds were really sleeping mats for young children and she didn't really have a guest room for Marisa to stay in. In the end, she opted to lay Marisa in her own bed while she slept beside her.

As they slept, the memories rushed back to her—Marisa, small and trembling, clinging to her after waking from nightmares. Keine had always been there for her, but now, she had a strange sense of bittersweetness. It was almost as if her past had decided to return to her but Keine knew that those times were over. Even if she wanted them to last longer, Marisa was no longer the same little girl from all those years.

But Keine had made a promise and this promise was one that she could not break even if she wanted to. She had invested too much on Marisa for this and she knew that breaking would not hurt just Marisa, but herself as well.

---

Looks can be deceptive and in Marisa's case, her sleeping face betrayed what she was really hiding in her dreams.

Inside the mind of the sleeping young teen, Marisa found herself at her father's home. It looked just like the way it used to when she was younger and attending Keine's school. Curious, she looked around and saw that her father was busy with his business as usual so she entered her mother's old room but to her shock there was nothing.

Then she felt someone pushing in the room and the door shutting. Turning back, she saw her father in the room with a very disappointed look on her face. Before Marisa could speak a word, her father began to berate her.

"You've brought shame to this family, Marisa. A witch? A magician? Nothing but trouble. I started a business that you reject for what?"

His figure began to distort and transform until he became a monster.

"You're nothing. Your mother was nothing and that's why you'll never accomplish anything."

The scene changed and Marisa saw her stepmother. She was with her father telling him about money and all sorts of things related to his business. Marisa tried to intervene but found herself moving more slower than usual. A mirror appeared in front of her and Marisa saw that she had been reverted to her 3 year old self. She could move faster but not farther.

As the nightmare continued, Marisa saw a picture of Mima being replaced with a picture of the stepmother and then she saw the stepmother taking over Mima's room while all of Mima's items were thrown out into a river that dissolved them.

She tried to get them to stop but her words fell on deaf ears. Then movers started coming in and replacing everything. A new room fell on top of Marisa's old room and inside it was a crib and everything needed for a new baby girl.

The vision changed and Marisa found herself at school where Keine was teaching her and the rest of the class about one of Japan's emperors. When Keine asked a question, Marisa tried to answer and raised her hand but before she could, she heard someone shout the answer.

Looking over, she saw her stepsister, smiling as Keine walked over and gave her a motherly hug. Marisa ran over wanting to ask Keine something but before she could make it, Keine looked at her confused.

"Who are you?"

The words echoed in Marisa's mind, their weight dragging her down. "Keine, it's me…" she tried to say, but her voice wouldn't come.

Instead, the moonlight illuminated Keine's form as it shifted into her were-hakutaku self. Her expression twisted into something cold and unrecognizable.

"Stay away from my daughter!" she snarled, her voice cutting through Marisa like a blade.

Marisa stumbled back, her legs refusing to move fast enough. She turned to flee, but the ground beneath her gave way, plunging her into a dark, endless pit. Above her, Keine's face softened as she turned to the step-sister with a gentle smile.

"You're doing great," Keine said warmly, her words muffled as the pit sealed shut. "I have no doubt you're Mr. Kirisame's daughter," was the last thing Marisa heard Keine say to the little girl before the hole closed up completely.

Panicking, Marisa looked for her Mini-Hakkero but only found a note from Rinnosuke.

"I'm sorry Marisa but I've done wrong. You are not my daughter and I shouldn't have led you to believe otherwise. I'm leaving now and taking your Mini-Hakkero with me. - Your friend, Rinnosuke"

The note brought Marisa to tears as she saw her step-sister enter her dimension. She wanted to say something but couldn't. She could only watch as her step-sister smiled mockingly while watching over her.

"Don't you see, there is no place for you, Marisa. Not here, not anywhere."

She then gestured towards Reimu, Alice, and several other people Marisa met while solving incidents.

"Even your friends forgot about you. They all remember me. I'm everything you are but better. You'll never find that family you always wanted because no family or friend wants you. Good-bye now."

She disappeared and all of Marisa's friends dissipated into smoke as well. She was truly alone and in the dark.

---

Marisa jolted awake, her breaths shallow and quick. The shadows of her nightmare lingered in her mind, but the warmth of morning light gently pulled her back to reality. She blinked, taking in her surroundings—a familiar room, bathed in sunlight.

Turning her head, she saw Keine beside her, arms loosely draped across her as if to shield her from whatever had haunted her dreams. The sight stilled the lingering tremors in her chest.

She slowly scanned the room, memories flooding back. This was Keine's home, and the bed was unmistakable—the same one they had shared years ago when Marisa, still a little girl, had sought refuge after nightmares.

As more rays of the morning sun crept into the house, Keine opened her eyes and Marisa drew back in shock.

"Marisa? Are you alright?" asked Keine.

"I…I…"

Marisa struggled to get the words out. She wanted to tell the truth but looking back, she knew that the nightmare she had was not a nightmare. It was a reflection of what she really was, the failed daughter of a businessman.

Keine frowned, her concern deepening as she watched Marisa retreat into herself. She shifted closer, her movements slow and careful, as if afraid of startling the girl further.

"Marisa," she began softly, her voice steady and reassuring, "it's okay. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here for you, just like I've always been."

The words struck a chord in Marisa, but she couldn't bring herself to look up. Her hands trembled as she gripped the blanket tighter, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"I… I thought you…" Marisa's voice cracked, and she took a shaky breath, fighting the lump in her throat. "I thought you replaced me."

Keine blinked, taken aback. "Replaced you? Marisa, what are you talking about?"

Marisa finally looked up, her amber eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I saw you… with her. My step-sister. You were smiling at her the way you used to smile at me. You hugged her, Keine. Just like you used to hug me when I was a kid. It was like I didn't even matter anymore…" Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

Realization dawned on Keine's face, and her heart ached at the sight of the girl she'd always seen as her own daughter, now so hurt and vulnerable. Without hesitation, she reached out and pulled Marisa into a firm, protective embrace.

"Oh, Marisa," Keine whispered, her voice warm and steady despite the guilt that gnawed at her. "You have no idea how much you mean to me. No one—not your step-sister, not anyone—could ever take your place in my heart."

Marisa stiffened at first, but the familiar comfort of Keine's arms began to melt the barriers she'd built around herself.

"But you looked so happy with her," Marisa muttered into Keine's shoulder. "Like she was… more than I ever was. Like I didn't belong anymore."

Keine pulled back slightly to meet Marisa's gaze, her hands resting gently on the girl's shoulders. "Marisa, listen to me. I teach so many children now, and I care for all of them in my own way, but you… you were never just one of my students. You're family to me. You always have been, even when you left the village. Even when you thought you didn't need me anymore."

Marisa's lips trembled. "I… I never stopped needing you. I just thought you didn't need me."

Tears slipped down Keine's cheeks as she smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from Marisa's face. "Marisa, I promised myself and someone very dear to you that I would always look after you. And I meant it. Nothing could ever change that."

Marisa's walls crumbled, and she clung to Keine tightly, her sobs finally breaking free. Keine held her close, rocking her gently as she whispered soothing words, her own tears mingling with the warmth of the moment.

"Let it all out, Marisa. I'm here," Keine murmured. "I'll always be here."

While Marisa continued to cry, Keine held Marisa close, feeling the younger girl's body tremble as years of buried emotions spilled out. She tightened her embrace, resting her chin gently atop Marisa's head as if shielding her from the world.

Though it wasn't visible, both of their hearts had begun to heal and for the first time in years, Marisa felt a familiar warmth return to her. It was one that she could never describe but always sought out for and now, she had it. Her dreams were wrong.

"You've carried so much by yourself," Keine said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "But you don't have to anymore. I'm here, Marisa. Let me share this burden with you."

Marisa's sobs slowed as the warmth of Keine's words began to soothe her frayed nerves. She pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face flushed with embarrassment.

"I… I'm sorry," Marisa muttered, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve. "I shouldn't be cryin' like this. It's stupid."

Keine shook her head, her expression firm yet gentle. "It's not stupid, Marisa. You've been through so much. Bottling it up doesn't make you stronger—it only makes it hurt more."

Marisa hesitated, her gaze falling to her lap. "I just… I saw you with her, and it felt like you didn't care about me anymore. Like everyone just moved on and forgot I ever existed. Even my dad…" She trailed off, biting her lip to keep herself from breaking down again.

Keine reached out and cupped Marisa's cheek, guiding her to meet her gaze. "Marisa, I want you to understand something. My heart is big enough to care for many people, but you hold a place no one else could ever fill. That will never change."

Marisa blinked, more tears spilling over as Keine's words began to sink in. "Really? Even after all this time?"

"Always," Keine said with a soft smile. "In fact, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for years."

Marisa tilted her head, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What is it?"

Keine took a deep breath, her expression growing serious. "Before your mother passed away, she came to me. Mima loved you deeply, Marisa, and she knew she wouldn't be able to watch you grow up. She asked me to take care of you—to be the mother you needed when she couldn't be there."

Marisa froze, her eyes wide. "M-my mom… said that?"

"She did," Keine said gently, brushing a strand of hair from Marisa's face. "And I promised her that I would. I promised I would always be here for you, no matter what."

The weight of the revelation hit Marisa like a tidal wave. Memories of her childhood with Keine—her kind smile, her soothing presence, her unwavering support—flashed through her mind. She clutched her chest, overwhelmed by the emotions bubbling to the surface.

"All this time… you were there because of her," Marisa whispered, her voice trembling.

Keine nodded. "But it wasn't just a promise, Marisa. I stayed because I love you. You're like a daughter to me. You always have been."

Marisa's lips quivered, and she threw her arms around Keine, holding on as tightly as she could. "I thought I'd lost everything… but you never let me go, did you?"

"Never," Keine replied, her own tears falling freely. "And I never will."

For the first time in years, Marisa felt a sense of belonging, of safety. The nightmare's cruel whispers faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of Keine's heartbeat and the warmth of her embrace.

As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Marisa whispered, "Danke, Keine… for everything."

Keine smiled, brushing a tear from Marisa's cheek. "You're welcome, my little star. And remember, no matter where you go or what you do, you'll always have a home with me."

The promise was not just words anymore—it was a truth that would guide both of them forward.

---

It was nightfall when Keine and Marisa arrived at the magician's home. The place was a complete pigsty, and while many might see it as an abandoned, poorly kept storage house, both Keine and Marisa knew it was much more than that.

To Marisa, it was a sanctuary—a chaotic, messy place that reflected her life but also gave her a sense of freedom. To Keine, it was a testament to Marisa's resilience, a reminder of how far the young magician had come despite everything stacked against her.

Stepping inside, Keine surveyed the cluttered space filled with books, magical trinkets, jars of mushrooms, and an assortment of odds and ends. Though Keine disapproved of Marisa's hoarding habit, she couldn't help but admire the ingenuity and persistence it represented. It was, after all, this very habit that had allowed Marisa to carve out her own existence in a world that often tried to leave her behind.

"Ah, here it is," Marisa declared, pulling a bag of scrap metal from beneath a pile of books and old magical artifacts. "This is what Kourin wanted."

"What's that for?" Keine asked, folding her arms as she watched Marisa inspect the bag.

"Kourin needed some metal to fix something in his store," Marisa explained. "He said this type in particular would do the trick. I was going to drop it off today, but it's getting late now. Guess I'll go tomorrow." She glanced at Keine with a mischievous grin. "Wanna tag along?"

Keine chuckled softly and shook her head. "I'd love to, but I've got students to take care of tomorrow. Maybe another time."

As Keine adjusted her scarf, she hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Marisa, there's something else I've been meaning to bring up. I still have all your mother's belongings—the ones I kept safe after… everything. Do you want me to bring them over?"

Marisa froze for a moment, her expression softening. "As much as I'd like to, I don't want them getting lost in this mess." She gestured around the cluttered room. "Hold onto them for me, will ya?"

Keine smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course."

As she turned to leave, Keine hesitated again, reaching into her satchel. "Actually… there's one thing I think you should have now."

Marisa tilted her head as Keine pulled out a small, worn piece of paper, folded neatly despite its age. She handed it to Marisa, who opened it curiously.

It was a crayon drawing, faded and creased from years of being tucked away but still vibrant enough to recognize. A childish rendition of three figures—a smaller Marisa in her trademark witch's hat, Keine with her teacher's cap, and Rinnosuke standing proudly—stood together in front of a cozy home, all smiling. Above them, in clumsy, uneven letters, were the words: "My family."

Marisa stared at the drawing, her fingers trembling slightly. "I… I didn't think you still had this."

"Of course I kept it," Keine said, her voice soft. "It reminded me of how much you've always wanted a place to belong. A family. Every time I saw it, I thought about how much I wanted to help you find it."

Marisa's eyes welled up as she held the drawing close to her chest. "I drew this so long ago… back when I thought it was just a silly dream. But you…" She looked up at Keine, her voice breaking. "You kept it all this time?"

Keine stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on Marisa's shoulder. "It was never silly to me. And Marisa, I want you to know that dream is still possible. You've already started building that family, little by little, whether you realize it or not."

Marisa sniffled, managing a small smile. "Thanks, Keine. For everything."

Keine pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly as the night air grew colder. "You don't have to thank me, Marisa. I'm proud of you. And no matter what, you'll always have a place in my heart."

After a long embrace, Keine stepped back, her smile warm and reassuring. "I'll see you soon. Don't forget to take care of yourself, alright?"

Marisa nodded, tucking the drawing carefully into her hat. "I won't."

As Keine departed, her figure disappearing into the moonlit path, Marisa stood in the doorway of her cluttered home, clutching the drawing close. For the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope—not just for tomorrow, but for the family she had always dreamed of having.

---

Years had passed, and the seasons of Gensokyo rolled on as they always did, carrying with them both change and continuity. At a glance, the Kirisame household was as lively and chaotic as ever, but to those who knew the story, it was a testament to how far everyone had come.

Marisa stood outside the Kourindou-Kirisame Magic Shop—a combination of both her and Rinnosuke's stores in the forest of magic. They combined shops last year after Marisa decided to officially move into Rinnosuke's store. Her home had become more of a storage place than a suitable living space and even with Marisa's attempts to clean it, making it liveable soon became a futile task. Seeing this, Rinnosuke offered to let Marisa move in and the young magician jumped at the first chance, taking only her most valuable items with her.

Her signature black witch's hat tilted slightly as she carefully rearranged an assortment of magical trinkets and rare books in the shop's window display. A warm laugh from inside caught her attention.

"Tokkiko, don't climb on that shelf!" Keine called in a gentle but firm tone.

"Sorry, Mama!" came the quick reply, followed by the flurry of wings and the sound of a young bird youkai hopping down. Tokkiko had been a part of their family for years now. Adopted after much discussion and shared determination, she was as much a part of the family as Marisa herself.

As Tokiko climbed into her mother's arms, Keine stroked her gently before taking a seat.

"I have no idea where you get all that energy from. Your father's not this energetic."

Rinnosuke walked over, carrying a ledger under his arm, and shook his head with a smirk. "Maybe from you or Marisa."

"Hey, don't blame me!" Marisa retorted, crossing her arms with a playful grin. "If anything, she takes after you, Kourin. Always nose-deep in books."

The family laughter that followed was something Marisa still treasured deeply.

Inside the house, it was a lively scene. The Three Fairies of Light—Sunny Milk, Luna Child, and Star Sapphire—flitted about, half-helping and half-causing mischief. They used to live in the Forest of Magic and near Reimu's shrine until their tree house was taken over by another group of fairies. Marisa found them trying to break into the shrine to borrow room and feeling pity, took them in.

She and Reimu were both very familiar with the fairies and had acted as parents or guardians to them on occasion. Marisa in particular, was quite fond of them and soon, she decided to adopt them. Though since she was too young to adopt anyone, the three fairies were officially adopted by Rinnosuke and Keine and the teacher and shopkeeper were listed as their parents on the official file. Still, they had taken to calling Marisa "Mama" almost from day one of their adoption, and though Marisa did feel embarrassed, she secretly cherished the new title.

"Marisa! Look! Look!" Sunny Milk zipped over with a book. "I found this weird old spell in the shop. Can I try it?"

"Absolutely not," Marisa said, grabbing the book with mock sternness before cracking a smile. "Not unless you want to turn the whole house into mushrooms. Again."

Amid the chaos, Keine appeared with a tray of tea, her presence grounding the room with calm authority. She set the tray down, her gaze softening as she watched Marisa interact with the girls. Despite their antics, the bond between them was undeniable.

As the family gathered around for tea, Keine's eyes lingered on the small but well-worn drawing framed and hung on the wall. It was Marisa's childhood artwork—the one depicting her ideal family. Over time, it had come to symbolize everything they had built together.

"Hard to believe we've come this far," Keine said softly, her voice filled with pride.

Marisa looked up from her teacup, following Keine's gaze. "Yeah," she replied, her tone equally warm. "Guess I've got everything I ever wanted now, huh?"

"You do," Rinnosuke said, his voice steady. "And maybe a little more than you bargained for." He glanced meaningfully at the Three Fairies, who had begun whispering about their next prank.

The room filled with laughter again, and for Marisa, it was everything she had dreamed of and more. Though she still carried her mother's name—Kirisame—out of respect for Mima, her heart was firmly rooted in this family.

She wasn't just a wandering magician anymore. She was a daughter, a sister, and a parent in her own right. The family she had longed for wasn't just a dream in a crayon drawing. It was real, vibrant, and hers.

As the golden rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, Marisa sat at the kitchen table, tongue sticking out slightly in concentration. In front of her was a piece of paper, a set of crayons scattered around her. Despite her age, she still found joy in drawing like she used to as a child.

Slowly, the scene came to life on the page. The same blocky shapes and wobbly lines from years ago, but this time with so much more detail. In the center was Marisa herself, her signature hat perched on her head. Beside her were Keine and Rinnosuke, holding hands with warm smiles. Tokkiko stood nearby, wings spread wide as if ready to take flight, while the Three Fairies of Light hovered around the edges, their bright colors giving the picture extra vibrancy.

When she finished, Marisa held the picture up, a wide grin spreading across her face. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't need to be. It was hers.

Walking over to Keine's fridge, Marisa carefully pinned the drawing next to her old one—the one from so many years ago that had started it all. The two pictures stood side by side, a testament to the family she had always dreamed of and the one she now had.

Satisfied, Marisa stepped back to admire her work. The contrast between the two drawings was striking, but they told the same story: a little girl's wish fulfilled in ways she never thought possible.

A shout from outside broke her thoughts.

"Marisa! Hurry up! The food's getting cold!"

It was Tokkiko's voice, followed by the excited chatter of the Three Fairies and Keine's warm laughter. Marisa grabbed her hat and dashed to the door.

"I'm coming!" she called, running out to join her family.

They had set up a picnic beneath the shade of a large tree just beyond the village. The sight of them—her family—laughing, talking, and sharing food together made her heart swell.

Marisa plopped down onto the blanket between Keine and Tokkiko, grabbing a plate of food with her usual enthusiasm. As the conversation flowed around her, she leaned back against the tree, watching the scene unfold.

For the first time in her life, Marisa Kirisame truly felt at home.

The crayon drawing on Keine's fridge would stay there for years to come, a constant reminder of the magic of family and the journey it had taken to get there.

And as the sun set on their picnic, painting the skies in hues of gold and crimson, Marisa smiled.

Though she had suffered much loss, Marisa now had a family greater than she ever dreamed—a reminder that even the hardest journeys can lead to the brightest horizons. Her past was just a testament to her growth and journey. Though the search was over, her journey had only just begun.

---

Hello everyone! Thank you all for reading this chapter and my entire story. It took me all winter break to plan this whole thing out and almost three months to finish the whole thing. I haven't had any luck on my jobs yet so that's something that might get in the way of me making more stories for you guys. That being said, I still have plenty of story ideas that have materialized but are not ready to be shared just yet.

In regards to my other story, "Reimu's Youkai Babysitting Business", I'm still working on the requests and it will be a while before I release another chapter because I plan on releasing all the requested parts at once.

In any case, that's all for now. If you have any questions about this story, feel free to leave it in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. Feel free to also drop a review and may God bless the rest of your day!

- ToumaXRindo