"It's beautiful isn't it? The blossoms are in full bloom, and they look so elegant. The temperature in the air is just right.

Spring...is truly my favourite season."

---

The sun began to rise once again over the Hakurei Shrine located in Gensokyo. The birds chirped, and the wind blew quietly. The rustling of trees made a calming sound.

The Shrine Maiden of Paradise, Hakurei Reimu, awoke from her slumber. Reimu was always an early riser, waking up as soon as the sun started to rise. She never knew why exactly she awoke at the same time everyday, but she just got used to it.

Meanwhile, the Black-White Magician, Kirisame Marisa, never awoke early. She always slept in, always waking up sometime around noon. Sometimes, she'd even wake up at evening. But now, she lives at the Hakurei Shrine with Reimu due to reasons. Marisa wakes up at the same time as Reimu now.

As Reimu got up from her Tatami bed, she fixed her messy bed hair. As she grunted from sleepiness, she walked over to Marisa's room to check on her. Oh, why is she checking on Marisa you ask? Well, you see...

Marisa had an illness.

Marisa told Reimu this last Winter, and it worried Reimu severely. Marisa didn't specify what exact illness it was, for she didn't want to worry Reimu even more. Marisa's illness had a huge impact on her. She couldn't move right, it became harder for her to talk, she became dizzy often, and she had a shortness of breath.
Although this illness could be instantly cured if Eirin made a drug for it, Marisa refused to take a drug for her illness.
Reimu offered to have Marisa live at the Hakurei Shrine so she can take care of her. Marisa has been living there since then.

As Reimu slid open the door to Marisa's room, she said quietly, "Good Morning Mari.." A silent voice could be heard from Marisa. She turned around in her Tatami bed and faced Reimu. Reimu walked over to her bed and sat down in front of her. "Mari, today's the beginning of Spring. Do you want to sit outside with me and watch the cherry blossoms?" Reimu said with a gentle voice. Marisa smiled and said, "Yes, I'd love to."

Reimu lifted Marisa up and helped her get outside onto the entrance to the Shrine. Reimu pulled over a chair and helped Marisa sit in it. "Wait here while I go make some tea, okay?" She said quickly. Marisa nodded and turned to look at the beautiful sunrise. The sky was tinted dark blue and yellow, and Marisa's eyes widened. She had never seen such a beautiful sunrise in her life. The slowly blooming cherry blossoms blew in the cool early morning wind.

Eventually, Reimu arrived with a cup od tea for Marisa and herself. "Sorry if it tastes weird, I was in a rush." Marisa smiled and said, "No, it's okay. Don't worry about it." They both sipped their tea and watched the beautiful sunrise.

"Hey, Reimu, have you ever wanted to use my Mini-Hakkero?" Marisa said out of the blue. "I...uh... Well, I have wanted to try it before, but I'm not good with magician tools and stuff like that..." Marisa chuckled quietly and slowly rose from her chair. "Ah, Marisa, do you need help-" Reimu was suddenly cut off by Marisa. "It's okay, I'll be right back." She then walked to her room, and grabbed the Hakkero.

"Reimu, I'll teach you how to use this. It's real simple if you pay attention." Marisa said gently while placing the Mini-Hakkero in Reimu's hands. "O-okay.." Reimu said nervously.

Marisa's legs were trembling slightly, but managed to stand on her feet firmly. "Alright, now firmly grasp the Mini-Hakkero in your hand, Reimu." Reimu grasped the Mini-Hakkero in her hand, nervously. "M-Marisa, are you sure you're okay standing like tha-" Marisa chuckled, "Reimu, I'm okay. Just focus on yourself right now. Now, the next step is to quietly say the spell to the Mini-Hakkero, and aim at something. Then, your Master Spark will come out."

Reimu inhailed, exhaled and aimed at a empty field. Marisa put her hands over Reimu's hands, and whispered, "Now say the spell slowly and calmly."

Reimu breathed in and said the spell, and suddenly a huge beam of light emerged from the Mini-Hakkero. Petals from the surrounding cherry blossoms flew around her, and Marisa smiled. Marisa was proud of Reimu.

The Master Spark's light faded away, and Reimu's eyes were widened with amazement. "See Reimu, you did it." Marisa said."Heh, I really did..." Reimu chuckled while looking at Marisa.

Reimu's heart almost sunk when she looked up at Marisa. Her face was pale, as if she hadn't eaten in days. She set the Mini-Hakkero down and quickly dragged Marisa into the Shrine. "Hey, Reimu, wait-!"

"Marisa, you need to stay in bed. Your illness is getting worse by the minute." Reimu said as she laid Marisa down in bed and covered her up. "Wait, Reimu, I'm fine..." Marisa said as her voice grew weaker. "Marisa, please get some rest. You have to stay well as long as possible... I can't lose you." Reimu said, tears escaping her eyes.

"Reimu..." Marisa whispered while raising her weak hand to wipe her tears. "You won't lose me. I'll always be with you, even if I'm not physically here."

---

Reimu was outside, sweeping the Hakurei Shrine. It was almost evening, and nobody passed by the shrine today to give a donation. Reimu sighed and set down the broom she was sweeping with. The gentle wind made her dress and hair flow in the wind, along with the cherry blossoms. She noticed a small cherry blossom branch on the ground near the area where she tested the Master Spark. "Oh, I might have caused a small branch to fall.." Reimu said as she picked the branch up. She examined it closely, looking at the blossoms on it. Reimu held it in her hand, and walked into the shrine to check on Marisa.

She opened the door, and sat down near her Tatami bed.

"Marisa...how are you doing?"

No response.

Reimu put her hand to Marisa's pale cheek.
It was ice cold.

"No..." Reimu thought.

She put her ear near Marisa's chest to hear for any heartbeat.

Not a single beat.

"Marisa?"
"Marisa!"
"Marisa!!"

Reimu clenched to the cherry blossom branch in her hand and wept. She knew this day would eventually come but she didn't want it to arrive now.

She didn't want this.

The wind blew even harder, and Reimu's sobs increased in volume. With the rising speed of the wind, the cherry blossom petals from the nearby trees flew into the shrine. They filled up the shrine, and Reimu looked up with her tears clouding her eyes. She could have sworn she heard a voice while the wind was blowing, but she couldn't understand what it was saying.

---

Three years have passed, and it is the first day of Spring once more.

Reimu woke up from her slumber, and rubbed her eyes. She fixed her hair, and got up from her bed. Reimu dressed herself in her Shrine Maiden outfit, and got her broom. It was early morning, and the sun had risen just a little. The sky was still a bit dark, but you could see the newly bloomed cherry blossoms.

Reimu stepped outside the shrine, and turned to the cherry blossoms. She saw the petals flying off in the wind. Reimu could also see a transparent looking figure near the tree.

She smiled and swept the shrine.

"How are you doing, Marisa?"

Authors Notes: totally didn't cry while writing this.

(for a contest on 2hu amino)