PS: The second update of five thousand characters is delivered. Can I have a Tsukihime vote?

…… Hakurei Meimu, barely two years old, was nothing like the average toddler. Don't let her youth fool you; her intellect was formidable.

Compared to figures like Cirno, the Three Mischievous Fairies, or even Luna, she was an absolute prodigy—perhaps even a destined child steering the very wheels of history… At the very least, she could venture into the Human Village alone to pick up soy sauce. “Auntie, please fill up a bottle of soy sauce for me.” In the general store of the Human Village, Meimu placed the empty bottle on the counter, greeting the proprietress with a sweet smile.

“Little Meimu, it’s you again.” The proprietress was a woman in her early forties, looking at Meimu with deep affection. She was quite familiar with the little girl who often came in to shop.

“Here, have these Owo Milk Candies, made by our own hands. They’re delicious, just for you.” The proprietress handed Meimu the filled soy sauce bottle and then grabbed a handful of sweets, stuffing them into Meimu’s hands while speaking kindly.

“Thank you, Auntie.” Meimu, holding the candy in her left hand and the soy sauce in her right, skipped out of the store humming, “I am the world’s number one princess.” Watching the little girl bounce away, the proprietress couldn't help but shake her head. “Sigh, it seems the Shrine Maiden is getting lazy these days, letting such a small child run out for errands.

Doesn’t she worry about youkai snatching her… Even though she is a shrine maiden’s child.” The proprietress’s worries were not without reason. Although there were rules forbidding youkai from attacking the Human Village, humans were still perilously exposed elsewhere.

For instance, the beast path leading from the Human Village to the Hakurei Shrine was swarming with youkai of all sizes. An ordinary person, without a shrine maiden’s protection, would have a ninety-nine percent chance of being devoured; only a tiny fraction of the lucky ones made it back safely.

And a rosy-cheeked little child like Meimu was naturally prime pickings for the youkai. However, it must be said, Meimu, as the child of the shrine maiden and the heir apparent, had the word ‘ordinary’ completely inapplicable to her.

The mere fact that she could play danmaku games with the Scarlet Devil Mansion’s second young lady a year ago was enough to deter many a youkai. As for the more powerful youkai Meimu couldn't defeat, having Hakurei Reimu as her backing was enough to make countless youkai retreat three paces.

Fine, even if some youkai weren't afraid of Reimu, would her status as the god-daughter of the Sage Youkai Yukari Yakumo suffice as backing? Her deep bond with Yuyuko Saigyouji, the mistress of the Netherworld?

Her training under Yuuka Kazami, the Master of Flowers, to become a master of the Magic Cannon? In short: Hakurei Meimu had connections.

Forget running rampant in Gensokyo; she could probably walk backward through it without issue. Of course, some youkai would still target her—perhaps some utterly clueless brutes, or pure, mindless demons lacking even the semblance of intelligence or human form.

But unfortunately for them, such creatures, which barely qualified as youkai, held no status whatsoever in Gensokyo. Their power was pitifully low, perhaps enough to spar briefly with the Three Fairies, but certainly not enough to consume the shrine maiden's daughter.

“Yoshi, I’ve just cleared the ninth wave of demons. Just one more wave, and I’ll be one step closer to becoming an Adult,” Meimu said in the beast path, brushing dust off her hands as she watched the dozen defeated youkai, a satisfied smile gracing her features.

Hakurei Reimu had once told her that the youkai on the beast path were nothing more than experience points; the more you defeated, the faster you leveled up. If she could achieve a thousand consecutive victories, she would become an ‘Adult’ and could challenge higher-level youkai.

And so, ever since then, Meimu set a personal goal: every time she went out, she had to defeat ten waves of youkai before heading home. “Oh dear, the sky is already dark.

I need to hurry home—braised pork, braised pork.” Having been so focused on repelling demons, Meimu only realized it was evening. She gasped, quickly grabbing the soy sauce bottle and the half-eaten Owo Milk Candies, and hurried towards the Hakurei Shrine.

Hey, what about the tenth wave of demons? Muttering about braised pork, Meimu had completely forgotten the tenth wave.

After all, she was just a two-year-old child; one couldn't expect too much from her. “Huh?

What is that?” After running for only a short while, Meimu suddenly stopped, staring at a distant corner. A faint light flickered in the deep darkness of the night.

It’s often said that a newborn calf fears no tiger. Since Meimu had won every fight so far, she clearly had nothing to fear.

After watching the light for a moment, her curiosity was piqued, and she cautiously trotted over. “Wow!

It’s a Night Sparrow’s barbecue stand!” As she approached, Meimu finally realized it was the legendary barbecue stand. Smelling the rich aroma wafting out, her mouth began to water uncontrollably.

“Should I go in, or not?” Meimu immediately entered a state of internal conflict. On one side was her mother’s braised pork, and on the other, the legendary barbecue.

She was torn. “Hmm… Mother only needs to drink tea and daydream.

It’s fine if I’m a little late. Besides, Mother said that a legendary barbecue stand is a rare chance encounter; if I miss it, even the gods won’t forgive me.

So… yes, I’ve decided!” Half a minute later, Meimu made her choice and hurried toward the stand. “Misty-nee, I want barbecue!” Upon reaching the stall, Meimu greeted the owner cheerfully.

The proprietor of the barbecue stand was a petite, cute young girl with red hair, a winged hat atop her head, and a pair of wings on her back. Her ten fingers were tipped with long claws.

She was none other than the youkai Mystia Lorelei, the Night Sparrow, who worked as both a singer and a barbecue stall owner. “Ah, Meimu?

Why are you here?” Mystia clearly knew the shrine maiden’s child. She stared at Meimu for a moment, looking puzzled, then sighed.

“Well, a customer is a customer, and you’re my first one today. So, what would you like to eat?” As she spoke, her face settled into the professional smile of a shopkeeper.

“I want grilled Night Sparrow,” Meimu said innocently, setting down her soy sauce bottle and sitting down at the counter. Thud!

Mystia tumbled under the counter. A few seconds later, she managed to haul herself up, forcing a strained, pained smile onto her face.

“You said… you want to eat what?” “Grilled Night Sparrow,” Little Meimu smiled, revealing two faint dimples, her face a picture of innocence and purity. “Suika showed me her ecological atlas last time.

She told me that grilled Night Sparrow tastes the best.” “I don’t carry that kind of thing in my shop!” Mystia retorted, her lips twitching fiercely. “And stop reading those nonsensical books; they aren’t good for you!” “Then what do you have in your shop?” Meimu asked curiously, tapping her chin with a finger.

“I only have grilled Hachibun-goyomatsu fish.” “Only that one kind?” “Only that one kind.” Meimu tilted her head, looking blank. “Then why did you ask what I wanted to eat just now?

You clearly only have one item.” “……” Mystia was speechless. Fine, she was defeated.

“Hey, you little pest, did you come here to eat or to pick a fight with me?!” Mystia feigned a fierce expression and glared at Meimu. But alas, no matter how terrifying Mystia posed, she was still worlds away from the imposing Yuuka Kazami or an angry Hakurei Reimu.

Meimu felt no fear at all; instead, she giggled happily. “Misty-nee, you look so cute when you make that face.” “……” Mystia wanted to cry.

She was being teased, teased by a two-year-old brat. She closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and finally calmed down.

She resolved to ignore the little girl’s nonsense and asked seriously, “Grilled Hachibun-goyomatsu fish. Are you eating or not?” “I want to eat!

I want to eat!” As expected of Yuyuko’s close acquaintance, Little Meimu’s eyes lit up the moment food was mentioned. With the professionalism of a proper shopkeeper, Mystia immediately pushed aside her mounting frustrations and focused entirely on grilling… Slicing, deboning, roasting, basting—her skilled technique proved she was a true master of the craft.

Soon, a plate of fragrant delicacy was ready. “Mmm, this is delicious.” Mystia grilled quickly, but Meimu ate even faster.

In a flash, the plate of Hachibun-goyomatsu fish was gone. “All done.

Now, pay up,” Mystia said, extending her hand after Meimu wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “Pay?” Meimu instantly froze.

Three seconds later, she tilted her little head. “Pay what?” Mystia nearly face-planted again.

She patiently explained, “The bill for the meal, of course! Don’t you have to pay when you buy things at a store?

This is an exchange of value! An exchange of value!” “I understand exchange of value, but…” Meimu rested her chin in her hand and said seriously, “Mother told me that we don’t have to pay for food from youkai, because youkai always cause her trouble.

And Marisa said that youkai live much longer than humans, so if I borrow something, when I die, the youkai can just come and collect it themselves; there’s no need to specifically repay it…” “So, Misty-nee, when I die, I’ll pay you back for the food I ate.” Meimu offered a dazzling smile. Mystia was so frustrated she nearly spat blood.

It was the first time she found this girl not so cute. However, compared to Meimu, her anger toward Reimu and Marisa soared infinitely… Look!

Look! What kind of education has this innocent child received?

These shameless scoundrels! After cursing them silently, Mystia calmed down.

She knew that Meimu, having been taught this way, was never going to pay. She probably didn’t even have any money on her.

No matter how unwilling she was, she had to swallow her pride. Could she possibly demand repayment in service?

If she dared to suggest that, she might very well end up as grilled Night Sparrow herself. Mystia accepted her fate.

She’d just consider it charity work this once. “Fine.

Since this is your first time at my shop, today is free. But tell me, are you really only two?” Mystia looked at Meimu with suspicion, unable to fathom how this seemingly simple child remembered the 'knowledge' taught by adults so clearly.

“Meimu is really two years old,” Meimu replied, displaying a smile of pure childish innocence. She then blinked, seemingly remembering something, and asked, “Um, Misty-nee, is today really free?” “Yes, free.

Lucky you, little one.” Upon hearing this, Meimu immediately grinned widely. “Then give me another dozen Hachibun-goyomatsu fish.

I want them to go.” Crash! Mystia collapsed again.

When she managed to get up, she was furious. “Stop joking, you little brat!

Do you think I’m running a soup kitchen? Do you think Hachibun-goyomatsu fish are easy to catch?

Do you think my night shifts hiding from the inspectors are easy? Do you think running a small shop is simple?

Every day I deal with freeloaders just like you… Waaah…” Mystia’s voice grew increasingly mournful, and by the end, she was sobbing. Ten minutes later, Mystia wiped the tears from her eyes and handed two portions of barbecue to Meimu—this was the best result she could achieve through a combination of tears and pathos.

The daughter of an inspector? She couldn't afford to offend that!

“Misty-nee, you are such a kind person,” Meimu’s smile remained innocent, but to Mystia, it looked like a demon’s grin. All she wanted was for this girl to leave and never return.

However, Meimu showed no immediate signs of leaving. Instead, she covered her mouth with her hand and whispered conspiratorially, “Misty-nee, I have a secret I’ve never told anyone.

I’ll tell you today: Actually… I am a magical girl.” “Huh? A magical girl?” Mystia was stunned.

What was that? “Watch this,” Meimu said mysteriously, clasping her hands together and murmuring for a moment.

“Transform!” In the next instant, Meimu opened her hands, and a piece of candy appeared in her palm. Meimu handed the candy to Mystia.

“This is a Happiness Candy I made with magic. If you eat it, you will become happy.

Well then, goodbye, Misty-nee.” With that, Meimu grabbed the soy sauce bottle and the two packs of barbecue and skipped away happily. In the barbecue shop, Mystia stared blankly at the Happiness Candy in her hand (which was, in fact, an Owo Milk Candy), near tears.

“Is it really that hard to run a shop? Waaaah…” …… Exchanging one Owo Milk Candy for dinner and a late-night snack, Meimu was delighted.

She skipped all the way back to the Hakurei Shrine. Although it was dark, unlike Hakurei Reimu’s night blindness, Meimu could see her surroundings clearly even in pitch blackness.

However, seeing clearly only applied to the environment; unexpected obstacles were invisible. For example, right then, although there was nothing obstructing the path ahead, Meimu stepped forward and immediately hit something with a loud thwack.

Because the impact was so sudden, and she was running quite fast, Meimu was sent flying. Not only did she make intimate contact with the ground, but the soy sauce bottle also flew off, clattering as the soy sauce splattered, and the two packets of barbecue tumbled onto the dirt, instantly coating them.

“Oww… That hurts.” Meimu scrambled up from the ground, wrinkling her nose. Her little face was flushed crimson.

She fiercely fought back the tears, but when she saw the shattered bottle and the muddy barbecue, she froze. Then her eyes widened, her small mouth slowly opened, and the feeling of grievance in her eyes magnified until it became overwhelming— “Waaaaah… Waaaaaaaah…” She burst into tears.

After all, she was a two-year-old girl. No matter how smart she was, in certain aspects, she was just like any other child.

If something she liked was snatched away or broken, any child would cry. “This is really bad…” A man’s voice emerged from the darkness.

It was Lin Luo, the culprit who had just sent Meimu flying. He had arrived in this world during the daytime.

Logically, he should have sneaked into Gensokyo during daylight hours as well. However, the great barrier seemed to have undergone some changes and was no longer what it used to be.

If he had chosen to force his way through, he could have entered immediately, but since he had chosen infiltration, he naturally didn’t do that, which meant he spent a long time wrestling with the entry point, finally succeeding only now. He hadn't expected to materialize on the beast path, but even more so, he hadn’t expected anyone to be running around on the beast path late at night.

It was a complete collision of bad timing. He was a peak Heavenly-tier expert.

Even walking normally, without any offensive or defensive posture, he could easily plow through planes and rockets, let alone a small girl. Meimu being sent flying wasn’t strange; it was just terrible luck.

Lin Luo felt no joy after knocking her over; his headache was immense… If you were in his shoes, having sent a little girl flying only to hear her bawl her eyes out, you’d feel overwhelmed too. “Um, little sister, I didn’t mean to.

Can you please stop crying?” Lin Luo walked in front of Meimu and put on what he thought was the friendliest smile to comfort her. But Meimu was deeply distressed at that moment, wiping her tears with her sleeve as she cried.

His friendly smile was useless. Furthermore, because Meimu was obscuring her face with her sleeve, he couldn't see her features at all.

“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to…” Lin Luo spoke again. Who would think that a little girl would be running on the beast path at this hour?

He simply hadn’t been paying attention, but he couldn’t use that as an excuse for his mistake, especially since the person involved was a child. “Waaah…” Meimu continued to cry.

“Look here…” “Waaah-waaah-waaah…” “I’m begging you, stop crying! I’ll give you whatever you want!” Hearing her heart-wrenching sobs, Lin Luo felt the urge to smash his own head against a wall.

“I want barbecue… I want soy sauce… Waaah…” Meimu was still crying, but she managed to mumble a few words vaguely. Lin Luo was startled, not quite understanding, and instinctively glanced to his side.

Finally, he understood the reason for the little girl’s distress. “Alright, I’ll replace it right now!” Once he understood the cause, Lin Luo felt a surge of relief.

Two beams of white light shot from his hands. Instantly, the shattered soy sauce bottle was restored, the liquid filling it again.

Simultaneously, the dirt clinging to the barbecue began to peel away and return to the packaging bags. “Wow, that’s amazing!” Seeing this, Meimu immediately stopped crying, her face now filled with astonishment.

She quickly gathered the soy sauce and barbecue into her arms. “Of course, I’m amazing.

I’m a magical boy… Huh?!” Lin Luo had intended to show off, but when he saw Meimu’s face, he froze instantly. “You?” “Me?” Meimu pointed at herself.

“My name is Hakurei Meimu. Uncle, who are you?”