Smooth, brown hair pouring around a red-faced pout, equal parts beautiful and adorable. A stunning contrast to her usual, firm and lazy demeanor. Those soft, red lips moved, baring her tongue to speak.

“Yes.”

Somewhere, far in the distance, Suwako cheered. Kanako nodded her head, bestowing on me a proud, loving smile. Reimu moved first, pressing her delicate fingers and warm palms against my cheeks as her lips closed, then puckered. A long shiver rolled down my spine. I answered her bold, affectionate move in kind, by wrapping my arms around her back, pulling her in close. I felt so much more warmth. It all happened so fast, but I didn’t care. I knew, deep in my soul, that it would all work out. That our love would conquer anything and everything. Our lips pulled ever closer.

But when they touched, the haze came. I clung to her all the tighter, worry now coursing through me. She pleaded that I come back, but the fog dragged her further and further away. That was the first time in our perfect love that I cried. I pushed closer, I kept myself down, quiet, still, as much as I possibly could. But it was too late. Reimu had evaporated in the morning air.

In the place of Reimu’s voice, I heard the calm but steady huff of a modest wind, muffled by the shrine walls. I felt the weight of my blanket atop me, the embrace of my pillow and futon beneath. A couple tears still clung to the corners of my eyes as I clung to the sheet. Light came last, as I realized that only the weakest sliver reached my bedroom. The sun had barely started to rise.

For a good minute or two, I laid there, mourning my lost dream. My eyes had closed again, as I hoped to return, to at least finish that kiss.

But it only took that long to realize I wouldn’t be falling back asleep. A nervous energy coursed through me, trapping me awake. The secret weapon hid inside my dresser. If I slept in much longer, Kanako would call me to start making breakfast while she got the heat going, then brush any loose snow off the path, then…

I pulled myself up, onto my butt, and allowed myself a short, quiet yawn. I could do it today, but was I ready? Did I really want to?

That kiss, that feeling of her lips so close…

Yes, yes, I did. I had a chance and, on today of all days, I needed to win her heart! I pushed myself this time, rising to my feet. Jittery legs carried me to the bathroom, where my toothbrush and toothpaste awaited. Where exactly my goddesses got this stuff, I don’t know. Frankly, it annoyed me that I still had to do this stuff, even in Gensokyo. But then… the villagers probably weren’t this lucky. Their teeth would suffer before mine did, probably. I stared at the small mirror I’d been allowed, as I got to the tiresome, nasty work.

We were going to make the perfect couple - her intuition and my miracles would be unstoppable! Her rustic charm and my urban grace. All I had to do was woo her, and I already had the perfect plan for that. And frankly, she should thank me when I’m done - I was so unimpressed when we first met!

I mean, what kind of shrine maiden forgets her own god? Or uses her shrine for nothing but personal profit? Who doesn’t work, doesn’t train… I glared at the mirror. The fact she kicked my butt back then was pure luck.

But that one thought brought color to my cheeks. It was my first time, after all.

The first time I understood, let alone fought with, danmaku. The first time battling in a realm of true magic and fantasy. Nothing else compared to that terrifying yet beautiful display.

Finally, I got to spit the toothpaste out and at least… hrm. I stared at the mirror. Straightening out my hair would look okay, but okay wouldn’t cut it for Reimu - not with all the competition I had! I gave the mirror a short scowl, before I got an idea. This would be cutting it even closer, but how on earth was I going to compete against someone as cozy with her as Marisa, or as clever as Yukari, or… urgh! I fiddled around with the drawers until I found Kanako’s cherry red lipstick, and… there. Her eyeshadow, her blush-oh, right. Foundation first!

Anyways! Competition wasn’t the point, the thrilling origin story for our romance was!

I’d fought most of the competition, actually. I’d seen plenty of elegant barrages and pretty patterns, but none could match the way that first display took my breath away. None were as stunning as Reimu’s. It had been… what? Ten years since then? Fifteen? Regardless, she didn’t fill out as much as I did in that time, but there’d been this… elegance that set in. And sometime after the final gasps of growth, the fateful moment she changed from my rival to my…

No, no, no! My beauty work had gotten my face… a little loud, actually. But that’s fine. It just meant I’d be harder to forget! I hurriedly slipped the makeup back where I’d gotten it from, then slipped out of the bathroom. With the minutes ticking away, I raced to my dresser and threw it open. Here, the first key decision of my fateful day stared back. What would I wear? I had to stand out, to make sure Reimu noticed me, to make sure I caught her interest. My usual outfit certainly wouldn’t cut it today. Hmrm… something impactful! A formal, fancy kimono? Maybe some heels and… hm. If I’m already wearing Kanako’s makeup, I could see if she’s got anything elegant in her closet. Or… I blinked. I still had my old highschool uniform. It was a little too small for me, but there were guys who liked that sort of thing. Maybe Reimu would, too?

[ ] Something risque. She won’t forget me if I show some skin!

[ ] Only the fanciest kimono. Gotta impress!

[ ] I would definitely stand out if I squeezed into my old school uniform…

[ ] Write-in.