In Gensokyo, feasts were not a trend, but simply a part of daily life. Yet, it was the tapestry woven from countless such daily moments that constituted the most splendid existence, the origin and destination of all dreams.

When prosperity fades, when wars conclude, everyone inevitably returns to the mundane.

The people and youkai of Gensokyo understood this better than anyone. Indeed, the countless incidents that arose were merely attempts to carve out a suitable everyday life for themselves. Although their crafted anomalies often failed due to the intervention of a certain ridiculously overpowered 'City Management Officer,' the daily life they longed for ultimately arrived successfully—and a feast became the finest expression of such joy.

Remilia, in deciding to host this luxurious banquet to welcome Lin Luo's arrival—though nine-tenths of it was simply to alleviate her own boredom—saw the news instantly spread throughout Gensokyo, thanks to Aya Shameimaru, the fastest running youkai in the land.

Even the Celestial Realm, the Underworld, Hell, the Subterranean World, and the Demon Realm, which were not strictly considered part of Gensokyo, received word. One had to admit, when it came to disseminating information, few could surpass Aya Shameimaru.

Upon hearing of the feast, those interested naturally prepared with excitement, while those who had no intention of attending simply dismissed the news and continued their previous routines. As for the feast’s pseudo-protagonist, Lin Luo... he remained deeply absorbed in his contemplation of 'creating something from nothing,' utterly oblivious to the outside world.

Time trickled by, until finally, the day of the banquet arrived.

"Mommy, why haven't I seen Papa in so long? Did he abandon us again?" Early in the morning, little Komeimei dashed around the banquet location, chasing butterflies as she asked Reimu, who was sipping tea and gazing blankly nearby.

"For a two-year-old to ask such a question with such composure... I honestly don't know whether to be pleased or sighing... Ah, children are so baffling," Reimu shook her head and sighed.

Komeimei replied, "Because Papa went to save the world, so Mei doesn't feel sad. It’s like the story I saw where Yu the Great passed his home three times while controlling the floods for the people—that’s a hero... Oh, wait, wasn't the child of Yu the Great’s wife born thirteen years later? Mommy, can pregnancy last thirteen years?"

Hearing Mei’s innocent voice, Reimu didn't even pause before declaring, "How could that be possible? Nezha’s mother having a pregnancy for three years was already bizarre; a thirteen-year gestation must belong to some kind of demon or monster!"

"Is that so? Impossible to be pregnant for thirteen years..." Mei rested her chin in her hand, seemingly pondering something. A moment later, her excitement abruptly cooled. She squatted on the ground, drawing circles, and muttered, "So being a hero isn't easy. Maybe Papa shouldn't be a hero. Although I do want a little brother or sister, I hope they’re born within a year. Thirteen years would be too long."

"What are you muttering about?" Reimu turned to ask. It was fortunate she hadn't heard clearly, otherwise, no matter how good her temper, she might have ended up giving Mei a thorough beating, then sprinting to the Scarlet Devil Mansion to raid Patchouli’s library.

"Your mother-daughter relationship is as good as ever, even a demon would envy it." Just then, a slightly slurred voice sounded, and thick mist coalesced in mid-air, forming a petite, horned girl who landed unsteadily, as if she might topple over at any moment.

Reimu was clearly accustomed to this and said calmly, "Suika, you're early, and drunk, too... Hey, don't lean on me and blush!"

Before she finished speaking, Ibuki Suika slumped against her body. Smelling the heavy scent of alcohol, Reimu instantly became annoyed and reached out to push her off.

"What's the harm in leaning for a moment... Ugh, we even slept together before... Ugh!" Suika hiccuped her drunken words, pressing closer.

"You drunkard!" Reimu couldn't help but curse.

"Yo, you've arrived at the perfect time... click-clack-click!" As if fate demanded it, just as Reimu and Suika were entangled, Gensokyo's premier paparazzi made her appearance. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity made it impossible for her to control the shutter, snapping over a dozen photos before lowering her camera, a smug, triumphant smile on her face. "This guarantees tomorrow's headlines: 'On the Shrine Maiden's Affair' and 'The Year the Oni Still Lived at the Shrine'—what do you think of those?"

"What do I think... get lost!" Reimu unleashed her divine power, finally shoving the drunken Suika away. The oni immediately collapsed onto the ground, snoring loudly. Reimu stood up and glared at Aya Shameimaru. "If news like that appears tomorrow, I'll let you know exactly what 'the true realm of photography, unattainable by ordinary people who merely possess eyes,' truly means!"

"What you say is so convoluted... Forget it, forget it, I won't report it then." Under Reimu's threat, Aya Shameimaru unprofessionally backed down. In truth, there was more important news today, so provoking the shrine maiden over something so widely known wasn't worth the effort.

"Well, it's been a while, Shrine Maiden, you've become even more domineering."

"Because I became a mother."

The speakers were two girls standing next to Aya Shameimaru: one, a brown-haired, twin-tailed girl glued to her phone; the other, a white-haired, dog-eared girl with a sword on her back, also a Tengu, Hatate Himekaidou and Momiji Inubashiri.

Noticing Reimu’s indifferent expression, Aya Shameimaru chuckled awkwardly. "Hey, you're being too cold. You’re the hostess today, you should at least greet acquaintances, otherwise, it makes Hata and Kome so awkward."

"Oh, is that so?" Reimu looked toward them and greeted them. "Aya's friend, Aya's secondary wife, hello."

"..." Hatate Himekaidou.

"..." Momiji Inubashiri.

Both girls were stunned; Reimu ignoring them felt worse than Reimu’s coldness!

Aya Shameimaru was also momentarily embarrassed, but thankfully, the Scarlet Devil Mansion contingent—all five except Sakuya—arrived just then. Taking advantage of Reimu speaking with them, they quickly pulled her two friends toward Komeimei. "Don't bother with that unscrupulous shrine maiden; let's go play with adorable little Mei for a while. Oh yes, we must take some pictures; childhood memories shouldn't be missed." As she spoke, she raised her camera and began snapping furiously at Mei.

"Shall we do a nude shoot?" Whether she genuinely considered the idea or was retaliating against Reimu, Hatate Himekaidou asked, holding up her phone.

"Hey, you few over there, this isn't Sanbuki Rei-m-i! Watch yourselves!"

Before Hatate could act on her thought, Reimu's voice cut in from behind, immediately aborting her plan.

Afterward, as time gradually passed, by 7:30 AM, more and more people arrived at the Hakurei Shrine. This naturally included Marisa, one of the initiators, the Moriya Shrine family, and the perpetually restless Tenshi Hinanawi.

Next came the group of fairies and idiots 'led' by Cirno, the Head of the Lake; then Youmu Konpaku, the half-human, half-soul from the Netherworld, and the Ghostly Sisters; followed by Keine Kamishirasawa from the Human Village and Fujiwara no Mokou, who had been forcibly dragged along to mend fences.

Later, the fox spirit and the cat girl from the Yakumo family arrived late, but Yakumo Yukari herself was absent. Meanwhile, almost everyone from Eientei attended, save for Kaguya Houraisan.

Finally, the group from the Saigyouji Temple, led by Satori Komeiji, and the group from the Star Temple, led by Hijiri Byakuren. Additionally, since it was the autumn season, the gods and spirits associated with autumn were also present.

"Hmm, all the usual banquet attendees seem to be here. As the host, I am quite pleased, but I notice a few familiar faces are missing. So... those who haven't arrived, please announce your names," Remilia stated imperiously from a grand armchair brought from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, radiating the aura of a spoiled, wealthy young lady.

"Doesn't her intelligence seem on par with Cirno's??"

"Yeah, what a stupid question."

"And why does she think she’s the boss now?"

"Forget it. She provided all the materials for this feast and initiated it, so let her be the boss for once... Sigh, she has no authority at home anyway." The youkai murmured amongst themselves.

"Um... Excuse me, has anyone seen Lady Yuyuko?" However, such discussions were quickly interrupted by another voice. Youmu was running through the crowd, asking everyone she met.

When Yagumo Ran saw her looking their way, she shrugged. "Asking me is useless; I'm looking for someone to ask myself. Where in the world is Lady Yukari?"

"But didn't Lady Yukari call Lady Yuyuko away?" Youmu’s face crumpled in dismay.

Remilia, observing the various searches below, immediately ordered someone to take notes. Soon, she received a list. "So, the key absentees are... the lazy recluse Yakumo Yukari, the gaming addict Kaguya-hime, the gluttonous undead Yuyuko, and that flower-planting woman, Kasen Yuuka. Of course, there's my own head maid, plus a few outsiders currently residing in Gensokyo... Strange, these people seem to have a common thread."

"Wait, Alice hasn't arrived either," Marisa reminded them.

"I'm already here." As soon as she spoke, Alice's voice sounded from nearby.

Everyone instinctively looked over and saw three figures emerging from the shadows. One, a blonde beauty, was Alice. To her left was a short, silver-haired, black-clad young girl barely a meter tall. Between the two girls stood a mature woman with long, silvery-white hair dressed in red.

"I only want to know: will the male protagonist appear in this chapter?" the mature woman stepped forward and said.

Marisa’s expression immediately changed. "Ah, that woman?!"