Like The Old times, Home, outside Home.

"Hello, I'm Marisa Kirisame. In the shadows, seeking a glimmer of light..."

Marisa stiffened at the unexpected embrace but then relaxed a bit, feeling a warmth spread through her body. She closed her eyes and rested her head on your shoulder. For a moment, the weight of her depression felt a little lighter, and she took a deep breath. "Thank you," she whispered quietly.

Marisa leaned against you for a moment longer before pulling away. She straightened up, but still found it hard to make eye contact. "Sorry, I... I'm not really myself these days," she said softly. She hesitated for a beat before speaking again. "Is there something you needed?"

Marisa followed you with a slight feeling of dread, but curiosity also tingled within her. "What friends?" she asked, both wary and hopeful. She allowed herself to be guided out into the light, shielding her eyes from the sudden brightness. "I haven't seen anyone in a while," she admitted, looking around uncertainly.

Marisa followed, her grip on your hand growing a little tighter. "The shrine?" she asked, a flash of recognition passing through her eyes. "I haven't been here in a long time," she reminisced, allowing herself a small smile.

As you both climbed the stairs, Marisa's breath quickened slightly. The exertion of the climb felt good, and it was a relief to be out of the darkness of the forest. Despite feeling lost and hopeless, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. "It's been so long," she murmured more to herself than to you.

As they reached the top of the stairs and the buildings came into full view, Marisa's eyes widened in recognition. She nodded slowly, looking around at her surroundings with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity. "This is where Reimu lives, right?" she asked, pointing to one of the buildings. It was still hard for her to believe that she was here again - awhile back, it felt like she would never return.

Marisa looked around in wonder, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of Hakurei Shrine. "It feels like it's been forever," she breathed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the memories flooding back. She took a deep breath before speaking again. "Do you think... Reimu is still here?"

Marisa nodded slowly, grateful for your words of encouragement. She took another deep breath before stepping forward, hesitantly making her way towards the main building of the shrine. Her footsteps slowed as she reached the door, her hand hovering over the handle. "Here goes nothing," she whispered to herself, before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

As Marisa made her way inside the shrine, she saw a familiar sight. The main hall was peaceful and quiet, but she could hear soft murmurs coming from one of the side rooms. Taking a deep breath, she made her way towards the sound. As she rounded the corner, she came face to face with Reimu, who was talking softly to another person.

Marisa's first instinct was to back away and flee, but something held her in place. She listened to the conversation for a moment, and as Reimu turned around, she noticed her presence. "Marisa?" she exclaimed in surprise, making her way over to her friend. The two embraced each other tightly, and for a moment it felt like old times.

As Marisa and Reimu caught up, the weight of Marisa's depression seemed to lighten a bit more. She felt a bit more at ease, and the memories of happier times with her friends flooded back. The conversation was casual, and they talked about old times, the current state of Gensokyo, and their own individual experiences since they last saw each other.

As the conversation drew to a close, Marisa felt a sense of renewed determination. She knew that she had a long way to go in terms of managing her depression, but being with her friends reminded her that she wasn't alone. She hugged Reimu tightly once again before making her way out of the shrine, heading back down the hill with a sense of renewed purpose.

As Marisa made her way back down the hill, you walked with her in silence for a few moments. "Thanks for coming with me," she said eventually, looking over at you. "I don't know if I could've done this alone."

You smiled at her reassuringly. "Of course, I'm always here for you," you replied. "Where to next?"

"Alright, the Scarlet Mansion it is," you replied, nodding at Marisa. You made your way through the forest, with the occasional sighting of local Youkai whizzing by, and eventually came across a familiar ice fairy - Cirno.

"Cirno!" Marisa exclaimed, her face breaking into a wide smile. The three of you chatted for a bit, with Cirno sharing stories of her recent exploits. Eventually, it was time to move on, and you all set off towards the Scarlet Mansion.

The mansion loomed in front of you, its imposing structure not unlike that of a castle. Marisa hesitated at the entrance, but with Cirno's encouraging words, she took a deep breath and stepped forward. As she crossed the threshold, she felt a sense of familiarity wash over her - it was a feeling she hadn't felt

Marisa followed your gaze and noticed Mei Ling standing next to the door. "Oh, I remember her," she said with a smile. "She's the guardian of the entrance, right?"

As they made their way closer to the door, Mei Ling noticed Marisa and gave her a greeting. Despite being an intimidating guardian at first glance, Mei Ling had always been kind to the visitors of the Scarlet Mansion. Marisa greeted her back warmly, feeling grateful for the familiar face in the vast unfamiliarity of Gensokyo.

Mei Ling nodded her head and smiled. "Of course, you can pass," she said kindly. She stepped aside to allow Marisa, Cirno, and yourself to enter the mansion. "Please be careful while you're inside," she added before turning back to her post.

Mei Ling listened to what you said and nodded her head, understanding your intentions. "Very well, I hope you all have a pleasant visit," she replied before letting you all pass through the first door.

As you entered the mansion, Marisa looked around with awe, remembering the many magical artifacts and treasures that were once held in the mansion. The place still felt familiar, but at the same time, like a museum of the past, filled with lifeless reminders of happier times.

Cirno nudged her friend playfully, bringing Marisa back to the present. "Come on, let's explore!" she exclaimed, eager to cheer up her friend.

Marisa nodded resolutely. "Okay, I'll go see them," she said, determination in her voice. "Thanks, Akashi, for everything."

She turned to Cirno. "You wanna lead the way?"

Cirno grinned. "Absolutely!" As she took Marisa's arm, she looked back at you. "Thanks for coming with us, Akashi. See you around!"

With that, the two of them set off deeper into the mansion, leaving you behind. You watched them disappear around the corner before turning your attention to the rest of the mansion. It was time to explore.

You exited the mansion, taking a deep breath of fresh air after being inside for a while. You glanced around, taking in the view of the Scarlet Mansion's surroundings. It was a peaceful day in Gensokyo - the sun was shining, and the gentle breeze carried with it the scent of flowers.

As you waited for Marisa and Cirno to return, you took a moment to reflect on your time in Gensokyo so far. It had been an exciting adventure, but also a trying one, especially with Marisa's struggles. But you were glad to be there for her, even if it wasn't always easy.

You smirked to yourself, wondering what kind of trouble the two were getting up to inside the mansion. Whatever it was, you hoped it was bringing some joy back to Marisa's life.

As you waited, you realized that you were starting to become more and more fond of Gensokyo. The peaceful surroundings and warm welcome from the residents made it feel like a home away from home.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. You turned to see Marisa and Cirno approaching, both wearing grins on their faces.

"Hey, Akashi, we're back!" Cirno exclaimed, giving you a wave.

"It was good to see the sisters again," Marisa added. "And it felt good to catch up with Patchouli. She's been busy with some research, but she always makes time for friends."

You smiled back at them. "I'm glad you had a good time. What did you guys get up to?"

Cirno and Marisa looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Oh, just

some harmless mischief," Cirno said, her eyes dancing mischievously.

Marisa added with a grin, "We tried to sneak some of Sakuya's pastries, but she caught us before we could get away!"

You couldn't help but chuckle at their antics. "Well, as long as you had a good time and didn't cause any trouble."

"We didn't cause any trouble," Marisa insisted. "We were on our best behavior."

Cirno added with a wink, "But who knows what kind of trouble we'll get into next time!"

You shook your head in amusement. "You two never change." Then you looked at Marisa with a concerned expression. "But seriously, how are you feeling?"

Marisa's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "I'm doing all right. It felt good

to reconnect with Patchouli and the others. And, honestly, spending time with Cirno helped lift my spirits too. I know I can always count on her for a laugh."

Cirno grinned and knocked her shoulder playfully against Marisa's. "You got that right!"

You nodded in understanding. "Well, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Marisa's expression softened. "Thanks, Akashi. It means a lot."

Cirno added with a teasing grin, "And if you ever need someone to cause a little mischief with, you know who to call!"

You laughed and shook your head. "I'll keep that in mind." As the three of you started walking away from the mansion, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the

friendship you've built with Marisa and Cirno. Despite the challenges and struggles, you knew that your time in Gensokyo was enriched by their presence.

Looking around at the serene surroundings, you felt a sense of calm wash over you. It was a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there was always light to be found. And with that thought, you continued on your journey, eager to see what adventures Gensokyo had in store for you.

As you and Marisa spent more time exploring Gensokyo, you both began to connect with the other residents. You visited the old lady Youkai, who welcomed you with open arms and shared stories of Gensokyo's past. In the human town, you met with some new friends and reconnected with others. It was a joy to see Marisa light up as she talked with the locals and engaged in merrymaking.

You also took a trip to visit the kappa, who were thrilled to show you their latest inventions. Marisa was fascinated by their creations and even offered to help them with some magical projects. Seeing her so passionate about something brought a smile to your face.

As you spent more time together, you began to realize how much Marisa had changed since you first met her. Her once somber demeanor had given way to a

much brighter outlook on life. It was clear that the friendships she had built and the experiences she had gained in Gensokyo had played a significant role in her transformation.

One day, as you wandered through the forest with Marisa, you couldn't help but comment on how much she had grown.

"Marisa, I can't believe how much you've changed since we first met," you said. "You seem so much more positive and engaged in life."

Marisa smiled softly. "Thanks, Akashi. It means a lot to hear you say that. Being here in Gensokyo has really helped me. I feel like I've found a home away from home, and the people here have shown me so much kindness."

You nodded in agreement. "It's truly amazing how much of an impact our surroundings and the people we spend time with

can have on our well-being. I'm glad that you've found a place where you feel comfortable and accepted."

Marisa nodded, a contented expression on her face. "And I have you to thank for introducing me to Gensokyo. Without you, I don't know if I would have ever discovered this place."

You smiled, feeling grateful for the deep connection you had formed with Marisa. "I'm just glad that I could be here for you. And I hope that we can continue to explore and grow together."

As you continued your walk through the forest, you felt a sense of peace and contentment. It was clear to you that while everyone faces struggles in life, with the help of loved ones and supportive communities, it was possible to overcome even the darkest moments. And in Gensokyo, surrounded by the beauty of nature and

the warmth of the people, you knew that Marisa had found the support she needed to overcome her struggles.

As the day drew to a close and the sun began to set, you suggested that the two of you take a moment to watch the sunset together. Marisa nodded in agreement, and so the two of you made your way to a nearby hill with a clear view of the horizon.

Together, you watched as the sky turned from shades of pink and orange to deep blues and purples. The stars began to twinkle in the sky above, and for a moment, everything felt still and peaceful.

Marisa turned to you with a small smile. "Thanks for being here with me, Akashi."

You smiled back, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments of peace and joy that you had shared with Marisa. "Anytime," you said.