Today was the day I would fight Remilia. I watched the sun dip below the horizon, the sky abze with shades of gold and crimson. Twilight stretched across Gensokyo, painting the world in hues of fading light.

  I was waiting for the night, just as Reimu instructed. She told me to rest today, so I spent my time gazing at the su, my mind wandering over the events that led me here.

  What happened with Marisa? Well, let's just say her so-called magic mushrooms were nothing but poison. I spent the rest of the day with my stomach twisted in knots, my face as green as those mushrooms. How am I still alive? A magi never reveals his secrets.

  Mystia was nearby, taking the day off from her usual work. She sat uhe shade of a tree, carefully writing something on a card. Her feathered wings fluttered as she leaned over her creation, a look of deep tration on her face.

  Mystia and I were friends, so I'd told her everything—my ability, the Cheat Cards, and what I'd been doing until now. She was one of the few I could trust, even if she worried a little too much.

  I leaned back against the tree trunk, gng over at her. "Are you do?"

  "Just a sed... There! It's done!" Mystia jumped to her feet, a proud smile lighting up her face. She hurried over and handed me the card, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  When she learhat my Cheat Cards could copy spells, she insisted on writing her spell card's name on one. She said it might not be powerful, but it could save my life if I used it in a pinch.

  I looked at the card, my eyes widening slightly as I read the name written on it. It was... gentle. A spell meant to proteot harm. A soft chuckle escaped my lips, and I gnced up at her. "Thanks, Mystia."

  I paused, my gaze lingering on her ear face. "But you might be misuanding something. Even if I lose, I won't die. I'll just end up as Remilia's servant."

  Mystia's feathers puffed up, her eyes bzing with anger. "You 't trust her who could kill you without hesitation! She ge her mind in an instant, especially if she's bored or feel threatened!"

  I blinked in surprise, watg her face twist with worry and frustration. She looked like she was on the verge of tears, her tiny hands ched into fists.

  I smile and reached out, gently patting her head. Her feathers were soft, just like her heart. "Why don't you treasure your life?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "The first time I saw you, you weren't afraid of me... or any youkai. It's like you don't care about your life at all."

  I withdrew my hand, my gaze drifting back to the suhe colors were fading, the sky darkening as stars began to twinkle above. "It's not that I'm not afraid," I said softly, my voice almost a whisper. "When I was young, I was more afraid of humans, you know?"

  Mystia's eyes widened in surprise. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, choosing to listen instead.

  "But as I grew older, I stopped fearing humans and started wanting to make them happy... with my ability. I wao see them smile, to show them magid wohat's why I became a magi." I looked down at the card she gave me, the gentle spell meant to protect me.

  "I also wao make friends with others who have superpowers like me. But most of them... are youkai." I turo her, my eyes meeting hers. "If I got scared of youkai every time, I'd probably go back to when I distrusting humans again."

  I smiled softly, letting my ha on her head once more. "I'm going to go. Sorry, Mystia... I might be a liar, but I don't break promises. I won't run away from this fight."

  Mystia's anger melted away, her shoulders slumping as she let out a sigh. She looked at me with a mixture of relief and frustration, her eyes shimmering with uears.

  "Idiot..." she muttered, her voice barely audible. "You're su idiot."

  I ughed, ruffling her hair gently. "Yeah, maybe I am."

  The sun disappeared below the horizon, and the first stars began to twinkle above. The night I'd been waiting for had arrived.

  It was time to face Remilia. And no matter what happened, I wouldn't break my promise.