"Patchouli!?"

I couldn’t help shouting.

Long, straight purple hair. A pajama-like dress with purple-and-white stripes. A book cradled in her hands... She was identical to that shut-in from the Scarlet Devil Mansion! What was happening? Had I slipped into Gensokyo without realizing? Was this actually the Scarlet Devil Mansion? If so, I’d hit the jackpot! No regrets in this life for loving Touhou; in the next, I’d blow up Gensokyo itself! As a hopeless Touhou fanatic, my excitement was beyond words. This transmigration was totally worth it—I could spar with all the Gensokyo girls, and to go home, I’d just ask Granny Yukari for help.

"Um... who are you? How did you get in?"

Just as I was lost in my own hype, she spoke to me.

"Me? I’m Ye. I have the key to this place."

"Ye? Never heard that name... I’m Sinan Xiao. Nice to meet you."

...Sinan Xiao?

"Wait, aren’t you Patchouli?"

"Patchouli? Who’s that?"

What? Not Patchouli?

My soaring mood instantly plummeted. Right... how could this be Gensokyo? Just a shut-in’s dream. No Patchouli here—only Sinan Xiao... Wait, Sinan Xiao!?

"Pardon my boldness—are you the Sinan Family’s eldest daughter? Do you have a younger sister named Sinan Ying?"

"Yes... do you know my little sister?"

"Mm. I’m her subordinate. And her friend."

"So you’re my sister’s man. Sorry for the poor hospitality. Please, sit."

I never expected to meet someone this important here. But I’d heard Sinan Xiao loved reading and valued quiet, so it wasn’t pure coincidence.

I walked to a tall stack of books, brushed dust off the top, and sat. The paper was soft—not at all uncomfortable.

"..."

So awkward...

Sinan Xiao had clearly been here often. Calling her the owner wouldn’t be wrong. Sitting here felt like trespassing. An oppressive silence spread between us. I wanted to start conversation but had nothing to say. Staring at her seemed rude, so I kept my eyes on the floor. Occasionally, I’d glance up. She was looking too—her gaze flickering away whenever ours met. She’d bury herself in her book; I’d stare back at the floor.

After a few repeats, I couldn’t take it. This was a library. Time to—

Read!

I grabbed a random book: *Analysis and Research of Folk Legends in the Regions Surrounding Heavens Origin Kingdom*. Exactly what I needed. Lucky.

I spread it open on my knees. Sinan Xiao’s lingering gaze vanished—probably because she saw me reading and stopped forcing small talk.

Time flowed quietly. I got absorbed in the book. The otherworldly folklore was unexpectedly fascinating. Soft sunlight. Lush grass. The library’s hidden depths... Scholarly vibes mixed with countryside freshness. The perfect reading sanctuary.

Such a cozy spot... I could stay all day. Next time, I’ll bring snacks and coffee.

My eyes suddenly strained. I looked up. The gentle light had dimmed. Unconsciously, dusk had fallen.

I closed my book. Sinan Xiao closed hers too. She gathered a heavy stack of books and wobbled trying to climb down. Her arms trembled under the weight. Pale cheeks flushed red. Legs shook slightly... A bad feeling hit me.

"...Ah!"

With a small cry, she missed her step and tumbled off the stack.

"Tch—!"

If it were someone sturdy like Sinan Ying or Rui Xin, I wouldn’t worry. But Sinan Xiao looked fragile. If she hit the ground like this—

I lunged forward, landing right beneath her. At the last second, I tried a flashy princess carry—but nope.

"Ugh—!"

I grunted as she pinned me down. She wasn’t heavy, but the fall’s momentum squeezed all air from my lungs!

I gasped for breath—then noticed the thick books falling with her! No time to think. I flipped over, shielding her with my back as the books slammed down.

Honestly, I could’ve used blood manipulation to catch her. Or blocked the books with a blood shield. But for some reason, I wanted to play the harem hero and protect her with my body. So—

"Ugh..."

The impact made me squeeze my eyes shut. When I opened them, the situation was terrible.

Her shocked face filled my vision: wide purple eyes, tense pale cheeks, cherry-pink lips pressed tight, messy straight hair... She looked haunted. But the real problem was our bodies. I was fully压 on her. Chests pressed together, deforming awkwardly. My hands gripped her arms, pinning them down. Our legs tangled—my knee jammed right against—

"Aaaahhh!!"

We both screamed. I scrambled off at lightning speed. She stumbled back, frantically fixing her clothes, face flushed with shame and anger. Then, for some reason, she flipped open a thick book—

"W-wait! I didn’t mean to push you!"

"Stultus!"

With a heavy *thud* like a boulder hitting water, thick black smoke erupted from the book. It coalesced midair, forming a towering armored figure.

This "person" wore pitch-black armor, revealing only a grim, expressionless face. Dark purple stripes covered the plates. Black smoke seeped from the cracks. In his hand, a black knight’s longsword radiated ominous energy.

"What the hell—!?"

No warning. The Black Knight lunged. A deep crack split the floor. The sword slashed toward me, trailing a cruel storm!

"Blood Shield!"

The circular shield clashed with the blade—shattered in under a second!

"!?"

He broke through but stayed icy-faced. The sword jerked sideways, tracing a dizzying black arc as it thrust at me!

"Wait, Stultus!"

Sinan Xiao shouted to stop him—but a thrusting sword doesn’t halt midway—

"Solidify!!"

At my cry, the scattered blood droplets reshaped faster than the sword’s thrust. Tiny tendrils shot out, linking droplets. They formed a blood cage in an instant, then hardened into unbreakable Blood Crystal—trapping the sword and the knight’s arms!

The tip stopped three centimeters from my face. His arms trembled, straining against the crystal. Useless. He froze.

"...Stultus. Return."

The Black Knight dissolved into smoke, drifting silently back into the book. Vanishing without a trace.