After his enter with the youkai, Mirage Carl wahrough the dense forest, his mind rag with questions. Where was he? How did he end up here? Nothing looked familiar, and the air was charged with an otherworldly energy. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.Eventually, he stumbled upon a long stoaircase, leading up to a hill where a grand shriood. Its red tate stood proudly at the entrance, swayily in the breeze. Curious, Mirage Carl climbed the steps, his body ag from the earlier fight.

  As he reached the top, he saw a young woman sweeping the shrine's courtyard. She wore a red and white shrine maiden's outfit, her long bck hair flowing behind her. Her movements were graceful, yet there was an air of ziness about her, as if she were merely going through the motions.Mirage Carl stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Excuse me..."The shrine maiden looked up, her eyes narrowing as she took in his straire—a magi's coat, a top hat, and a mischievous smile. She leaned on her broom, her voice blunt.

  "Who are you? You don't look like you're from around here."

  Mirage Carl grinned, his eyes twinkling with mystery. "Mirage Carl, just a wandering performer, blown off course by a strange wind. Would you happen to know where I am?"

  The girl sighed, her expression exasperated. "This is the Hakurei Shrine, and you're in Gensokyo. A nd of youkai, magid troublemakers."

  Her gaze sharpened. "And you look like trouble."

  Mirage Carl chuckled, tipping his hat. "Oh, I'm nothing of the sort. Just a humble magi, lost in a pce he doesn't uand."

  Reimu's eyes softened slightly, but her suspi didn't fade. "A magi, huh? You better not be here to cause problems. I have enough of those already."

  Mirage Carl raised his hands, feigning innoce. "I wouldn't dream of it. In fact..."

  He reached into his coat, pulling out a bouquet of flowers seemingly out of thin air. "A gift, to thank the kind shrine maiden for her hospitality."

  Reimu's eyes widened, her mouth twitg in surprise. She hadn't seen him hide the flowers anywhere. But she quickly posed herself, crossing her arms. "Hmph. Parlor tricks won't get you anywhere with me."

  Mirage Carl ughed, his voice warm. "Oh, I'm sure. But it's just a little token of gratitude."

  He pced the flowers at the base of the shrine's altar, his movements respectful. "For allowio rest here for a while."

  Reimu watched him closely, her curiosity growing. This man was straoo carefree for someone who cimed to be lost. She couldn't sense any malice from him, but his aura was... different. Almost like he didn't belong here.

  She sighed, leaning on her broom once more. "Fine. Rest if you want, but don't cause any trouble. And don't make a mess."

  Mirage Carl smiled, giving her a pyful bow. "You have my word, oh vigint shrine maiden."As he sat on the shrine's steps, his mind raced. Gensokyo... A nd of magid youkai. He was definitely far from home. But ohing was certain—this pce was iing. And Mirage Carl never could resist a good mystery.