Patchouli's eyes widened in shock at the sight of Marisa. "Why are you here? Didn't you run away after taking my books." she asked, her tone filled with suspicion.

  Marisa grinned. "Isn't it obvious? I came here to steal—I mean, borrow some books again!"

  Patchouli's expression darkened. "You're getting awfully arrogant if you think I'll just stand by and watch you walks in here, take my books, and leave as you please."

  Marisa waved a hand dismissively. "Didn't I tell ya? I'll return 'em."

  Patchouli narrowed her eyes. "When?"

  Marisa smirked. "When I die of old age."

  That was the final straw. Patchouli snapped her book open, magical energy crackling in the air. Marisa, already expecting this, grabbed her mini-hakkero and took a stance.

  Before things could escate, I jumped between them, waving my arms frantically. "Wait! Wait a second, Patchouli! Don't start bsting yet!"

  Patchouli frowned. "Why not?"

  "I need to ask Marisa something important before you two blow each other up." I turned to Marisa. "Do you know where the three fairies are?"

  Marisa blinked. "The three fairies?"

  "Yeah," I said, crossing my arms. "They pranked me, and I've been trying to track them down. Reimu said you knew where they lived, so I've been looking for you this whole time."

  Marisa rubbed her chin, thinking. "Where they lived? Ahh... I remember they used to live in that old tree. But..."

  I raised an eyebrow. "But what? Did something happen?"

  Marisa scratched the back of her head, looking sheepish. "Well... I might've gotten pranked by them once. And, uh... I might've gotten a little mad and... y'know... destroyed their house."

  I stared at her, speechless.

  "So," she continued, ughing awkwardly, "after that, I dunno where they live anymore."

  I let out an annoyed sigh and turned to Patchouli. "Can I join you in beating up Marisa?"

  Patchouli didn't even hesitate. "No."

  I blinked. "Wait, why?"

  She gave me a sharp gre. "Don't forget, you used your ability to bring Marisa here. That makes you just as guilty."

  I let out a nervous ugh.

  Marisa smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Two vs. one, huh? Fine by me! I'll take you both on and show ya just how strong I've become!"

  I immediately regretted everything.

  ......................

  I y ft on the ground, groaning in pain. In my head, I repyed the events that led to this moment.

  Marisa said it was a two-versus-one fight... but somehow, those two ended up on the same team and just beat the crap out of me.

  As I y there in defeat, Marisa and Patchouli had already forgotten about me and started fighting each other. I turned my head to watch their battle unfold, wincing as spells flew in every direction, smashing into bookshelves and setting papers on fire.

  I sighed. Koakuma just finished cleaning this pce... speaking of which, where was she? Oh well, not my problem.

  Realizing I had the perfect chance to escape, I quietly got up and tiptoed toward the exit to the mansion. Alright, Marisa doesn't know where the fairies live anymore, so there's no point in sticking around. Time to go home and forget this ever happened.

  After I get out of the library and almost reached the exit when—

  "Where do you think you're going, my dear little brother?"

  I froze. Slowly, I turned around, and there stood Remilia Scarlet, smiling mischievously.

  Panic set in. Act natural like I didn't see her.

  I cleared my throat and turned back toward the exit. "Ahaha... did I hear something, must be my imagination—"

  Before I could take another step, she appeared right in front of me, blocking my way.

  "Now, now," she said, wagging her finger. "Why is my little brother ignoring his big sister's call? Don't you want to see your big sister when you came here."

  I sighed in defeat. "Sorry, Miss Remilia. I'm too tired now. Can we... talk about this ter?"

  She narrowed her eyes. "Call me big sister."

  "...Miss—"

  Her expression darkened and said, "Call me ...big sister."

  I let out a heavy sigh before reluctantly muttering, "...Big sister."

  Remilia beamed, patting me on the head—or at least trying to. Since she was short, she could barely reach. After a few awkward attempts, she cleared her throat and changed the subject.

  "Ahem! I heard you were looking for the fairies that pranked you."

  I nodded, deciding not to ask where she got that information.

  She smirked. "I can tell you where they are using my ability, but..." She trailed off, giving me a knowing look.

  I raised an eyebrow. "But what?"

  Remilia gave me a sly smile, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. "Promise me one thing, and I'll tell you where the fairies live."

  I crossed my arms. "What's the catch?"

  She chuckled, clearly enjoying my wariness. "Starting tomorrow, you have to come here every day to train with the gatekeeper."

  I blinked. "Wait, what? You want me to train with Hong?"

  She nodded. "That's right."

  I groaned. "Did you see what we were doing earlier? I was just joking with her."

  She chuckled. "Oh, I know. But I also checked your fate and found that you can get much stronger if you keep training with her."

  I frowned. "Yeah, well, I'm not interested in getting stronger."

  Remilia's smirk faded slightly, and her crimson eyes narrowed. "Not interested, huh? So you're fine with losing? With running away every time you get into trouble?"

  I flinched. "That's—! I mean, it's just... why do I need to get stronger?"

  Remilia sighed, shaking her head. "You don't get it, do you?" She stepped even closer, her red eyes gleaming in the dim light. "I'm calling you my little brother. That means your defeats reflect on me. If you keep losing so easily, it'll shame my family name."

  I blinked. "Wait, what? Since when do I—"

  "Since I decided," she interrupted, pcing a hand on her chest dramatically. "As the head of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, I can't have my little brother being weak. People might think I allow incompetence in my household."

  I groaned. "Come on, I never even agreed to be part of your 'family name' in the first pce."

  She smirked. "Too te. You already called me 'big sister'—that's practically an oath. If you back out now, it'll hurt my dignity."

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. "So, what? If I don't train, I'm disgracing you?"

  "Exactly," she said, nodding. "And I won't allow it."

  I sighed in defeat. "You're really not giving me a choice here, huh?"

  She grinned. "Of course not. Now, do we have a deal?"

  "...Fine," I muttered. "I promise."

  Remilia's smile widened triumphantly. "Good. Then it's settled. Starting tomorrow, no scking off."

  Great. I had officially been roped into something I never asked for.