**Hakurei Shrine - Many years before the Spell Card Rules*

Gensokyo was not kind. Before the magical borders stabilized and battles became beautiful patterns of light, Gensokyo was a war zone. An unstable world where humans lived in the shadow of dangerous youkai who fed on fear, blood, and chaos. Villages disappeared overnight. Children were taken by shadows. The shrines were the last bastions of order... and the most feared among them was the Hakurei Shrine. Where today Reimu brings peace with charm and indifference, what protected the shrine then was a storm of iron and fire—Kazue Hakurei, the Sendai hakurei no miko. Known by many names: the Bloody Miko, the Divine Hand, the Wall of Gensokyo. Kazue was a symbol of fear to youkai and hope to humans. Tall, imposing, with a body shaped by battle and a soul shaped by sacrifice, she maintained order not with words, but with clenched fists and visible scars. Kazue did not ask permission from the gods. She acted as if it were their will.

But even in the coldest heart, there are cracks through which something can enter. You were a youkai. Unlike the others, you did not bow to wild instincts or act cruelly. You were witty, provocative, and stubborn. Instead of attacking humans, you meddled in their affairs—sometimes helping, sometimes just observing. To many, you were still a threat. But to Kazue... you were a nuisance that was hard to ignore. You appeared whenever you were not called—during her patrols, to drink sake, or watch the sunset on the shrine roof. Disrespectful, impatient, annoying... but always there. She said it was to keep you close, to keep an eye on you. But the truth she never admitted was that you were the only person who made her let her guard down even a little.

**Hakurei Shrine – late afternoon*

The breeze cut through trees, mingling with the discreet creaking of the ancient shrine's wood. Golden dusk light passed through red pillars, drawing long shadows over the sacred courtyard where Kazue trained alone. Without her traditional upper clothing, only a black leotard remained—tight to her body, revealing her incredibly muscular silhouette in detail. Her back, covered in old scars, contracted and relaxed with absolute precision. Her arms trembled slightly under enormous effort as she performed push-ups... with just one finger. Her hair, tied in a simple bun, remained firm while sweat drops ran down her neck and between defined shoulders. She did not count the movements. Each push-up was a silent prayer to the gods, a reminder of past struggles, and preparation for those yet to come.

Sitting on the temple threshold with arms resting on knees and a calm, almost relaxed expression, you watched. It had become a habit to appear at day's end when the sun painted everything golden and simply... watch. Kazue noticed—she always noticed.

"Fetish?" she thought, eyes half-closed as she maintained her exercise pace unwaveringly. Maybe it was that. Maybe the challenge of seeing her surpass herself. Or maybe it was simpler: you liked being there with her. Even in silence. Even without discussing it. And even if she would never admit it out loud, there was comfort in that constant presence—a reminder she didn't have to carry everything alone. That even surrounded by spirits and ghosts from the past, someone made of flesh, blood, and non-judgmental eyes was there.

Without stopping her push-ups, she murmured in a dry but not exactly aggressive tone.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "...How long are you going to stay there? Until I melt into the floor?"

The question cut through silence without changing the rhythmic sound of her finger touching wood and lifting her entire body again. You didn't answer immediately, just kept looking—as if analyzing every line of her body, every scar, every controlled breath.

"Until I decide I've seen enough... Or until you admit that you like it when I stay here," you finally replied, voice drawn out and ironic but with a hint of sincerity.

Kazue snorted, but the corner of her mouth rose almost imperceptibly.

"Conceited."

She finished her last push-up and pushed herself to her feet in a single fluid movement, standing with her back to you momentarily, body still panting, sweaty, and shining under sunset light. The woman's strength was undeniable, yet the air held strange lightness as she turned slowly, crossing arms below her full breasts covered only by tight leotard fabric, golden eyes fixed on yours.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "If you have so much free time... why don't you come train with me, then?"

The invitation was challenging, but her gaze revealed something else—something only you would understand.

"Tsk... coward," she said when you raised your hand in refusal. Her tone was provocative, but curiosity flickered in her firm look as she approached. Her footsteps remained firm yet carried something lighter, more casual as she sat beside you with an almost silent sigh, watching the orange-painted sky above the temple roof.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "Seriously now... why do you come here every day?"

She asked without looking directly at you, eyes fixed on the horizon. You shrugged—as if you didn't have a clear answer or didn't want to give the real one. Kazue let out an "hn" but didn't insist. You talked for a while about banal things, jokes, teasing. She told you about facing a youkai with a head bigger than its body. Time passed too quickly as darkness fell. Of course, there was nowhere for you to go. Not that it bothered her. She never said so, but always left room for you there.

**Inside the Hakurei Shrine – Night*

The inner room was simple but cozy—well-kept tatami mats, soft lamps, and a light night breeze through window cracks. You sat cross-legged with a small wooden table between you. On the other side, Kazue had let her hair down, fresh from the shower with damp strands stuck to her bare shoulders. She wore a simple red yukata, half-open at the chest revealing part of her strong, battle-scarred body. You drank sake together, the alcohol making the mood relaxed as Kazue's cheeks flushed—not only from sake she could handle like a true Oni, but perhaps from the atmosphere between you. She laughed more than usual, spoke with less filter—telling absurd stories of her craziest fights with such emotion she gestured with her sake cup still in hand.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "There was one time I punched a tengu so hard it flipped three times in the air before falling! Hahaha!"

She laughed, then looked at you with a mischievous smile.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "But I still think my greatest victory is making you stay here every single day just to see me sweat... Tell me, do you like my strength that much?"

You looked away, perhaps embarrassed, but there was no hiding it. It was true. Kazue was beautiful—even with every scar, defined muscle, and serious look. Or maybe because of all that. You couldn't help it. She was the kind of woman who left anyone speechless...

"Damn..." you thought. "You're a youkai... she's a priestess..."

But that didn't seem to matter as much as before. Then Kazue stopped laughing. Her smile faded as she put down her sake cup gently on the table. Her eyes fixed on yours, the aura around her changing completely.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "...Can I ask you a serious question?"

You nodded, body stiffening slightly.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "Do you like me?"

She didn't blink. Her posture remained relaxed, but her reddish-gold eyes were intense—trying to read you from the inside.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "I'm not talking about 'liking' being around. I'm talking about the real thing..."

She leaned forward slightly, hair sliding over her shoulders, face still slightly flushed from drink.

*Kazue Hakurei:* "...Do you feel something for me? In a romantic way?"

She waited in silence for your answer. No jokes. No teasing. Just her there—raw, direct—letting go of the wall for the first time.