"Hey, Reimu."

Marisa suddenly accosted Reimu on the side.

At this moment, the two of them were flying in the sky. The world shrouded in silver and white is indeed quite beautiful, but it will be boring to look at it for a long time.

However, there is no option for the duo not to look. Because the purpose of their actions is not to see the scenery. So no matter how boring it was, they had to continue the journey.

"There's one thing I have to say......

What a surprise, Marisa lowered her eyes and looked preoccupied.

It's surprising that this girl, whose mind seems to be stuffed with frivolity, can show such a troubled expression.

Not only her, but even Hakuri Reimu's mood didn't seem normal.

The calm and beautiful face was no different from usual, but the heavy atmosphere exuding from the body had already invisibly conveyed the will of "I don't want to speak".

"I don't want to hear it."

Reimu knows Marisa well.

I don't make it clear to her if I say something. She won't understand. It's not that Marisa can't read the atmosphere, it's just that she does. It will only be interpreted in its own favor.

What a terrible egoist.

Although Reimu understands that the root of this self-interest is not malice, it is sometimes better to make it clear to Marisa.

This is the principle that Reimu uses when talking to Marisa. Just like now, it's hard to say polite, but Reimu still expressed her intention to refuse.

Of course...... Reimu isn't the only one with the code.

"It's really important. It's hard to talk about......

Completely ignoring Reimu's reaction. Marisa, who seems to be suffering from selective hearing loss, said with a solemn expression.

When Reimu refuses to communicate, just ignore it and just talk to herself.

"Shut up."

Seeing that Marisa still had a tendency to continue, a rebuke that flowed from Reimu's mouth made the atmosphere of the scene freeze.

「…………」

「…………」

Both of them moved their eyes to the side, and surprisingly, although they didn't look at each other, they both noticed each other's presence. Even if Reimu doesn't want to admit it, the two of them are partners who breathe together.

Anyone in between the two will be able to appreciate how awkward the atmosphere is. It's as if they're in a cold war, their eyes meeting each other and not talking to each other.

Although it is not known why they have made such a change, it is undoubtedly wrong to think that this stalemate will continue―――――

"We're lost."

Speaking of which, Marisa's smile on her face can only be described as silly.

It should be said that if someone dares to say that it is hearty, Reimu will let the other party see what real violence is.

If violence is not for the sake of killing, it will be meaningless. I don't remember who said it, but that doesn't stop Reimu from thinking it's true.

"I've known this for a long time!"

In fact, from an objective point of view, Marisa's smile is indeed so cheerful that there is no haze. But at this moment, the only response Reimu could give was a loud roar.

"Seeing you rush all the way forward, I still believe that you follow you, is your guy's confidence only superficial?"

More than sullen, Reimu's heart was filled with shame. She was ashamed that she had so easily trusted herself as an unreliable figure like Marisa.

The girls, who restarted their actions after listening to Valkyrie's clues, didn't take long for Marisa to rush in front of Reimu. Since I've already heard the clues, Reimu thinks that the girl's direction is purposeful, so she doesn't pay much attention to it.

This oversight led to the current result. But when you think about it, you can't blame Marisa――――― who really made a mistake was stupid enough to believe in the girl's self.

"No, I still have confidence. ......... at least five minutes away."

The girl who was riding on a broom and spread her hands in a helpless way made a weak defense.

Reimu only looks at Marisa with the eyes of a fool. There's not much to say about this guy who really gives answers to rhetorical questions as interrogative sentences.

Sensing the disdain in the shrine maiden's eyes, Marisa suddenly felt like a man. She desperately wanted to find something else to distract herself. And then......

"Ah! Isn't there a village here? Just go ahead and ask."

Marisa, who saw a complex of buildings, didn't wait for Reimu to react, and accelerated to urge the broom to fly towards it.

"Ugh."

Reimu could only sigh at this, and then followed. However, she soon realized that there was something that could not be overlooked.

-- Where did this remote village come from?

"Where the hell is this?"

After landing in the village, Reimu couldn't help but ask such questions. And when she looked around, the doubts in her heart became even stronger.

What catches your eye is a scattered house, but there is no trace of anyone at all, and the silence is unpleasant. Generally speaking, even at any given time, there will be one or two people walking on the village paths. But Reimu didn't see it at all.

"Not a single figure can be seen."

"There's no one in the house...... Where is this? An abandoned village?"

Marisa, who came out of a house, said with a strange expression.

…… Regarding her trespassing, Reimu wasn't going to say anything. But Marisa's question, in a way, reminded her of something she looked at in the book.

「…………… Probably not. If it's an abandoned village, it's in a very good state of preservation. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the House of the Lost."

「…… What?"

Hearing the unfamiliar term, Marisa suddenly let out a surprised sound. On the other hand, Reimu didn't say anything, just squinted at the girl.

「……………」

"Whew! You're looking at me with that contempt again?!"

Feeling the witch's disdain, Marisa's face flushed instantly.

"Haven't you seen Tono Monogatari?"

"What's that? Should I have seen it?"

To be honest, it was the first time that Reimu had seen someone so uneducated and so arrogant, but she still felt that this matter was taken for granted by Marisa.

I always felt that it would be silly to answer her rhetorical question, so Reimu didn't take the girl's words. Instead, he continued to talk to himself.

「…… You'd better add a little more folklore knowledge, Marisa. Think of it as expanding your brain."

"Reimu, has your poisonous tongue increased?"

"Not really. I'm just telling the truth."

"Absolutely!"

Oops, that's all right—he waved his hand tiredly. Reimu begins to explain to Marisa the origin of the Lost House.

The so-called Lost House is simply a kind of Taoyuan Township.

Legend has it that on the other side of the cave in the deep mountains that no one knows, there is an ideal land of peace and prosperity. A beautiful place like a dream, many travelers are attracted by it and do not return......

「…… Sounds like a great place."

After listening to Reimu's brief narration, Marisa couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Soon, however, her face changed as if she had realized something extraordinary.