Makai is a world that does not feel real. The sun shines with the red and orange of dawn, and the clouds are the colors of night. The people familiar with Makai say it is an infinitely vast land beloved by all things magical. But for most denizens of Gensokyo, it is a strange, mystical place full of the unknown. What did Alice feel as she looked out over the world of Makai? Was it expectation? Wonder? Or was there some other emotion that caused her eyes to shine?

After celebrating New Year's together in Gensokyo, Byakuren brought Alice to Makai aboard her Palanquin Ship. Byakuren had been sealed away in Makai for a thousand years, only managing to leave thanks to her trusted friends who gathered up fragments of the Flying Storehouse. But what happened to her during that time? How did she spend all those years? Was she training? Did she get any closer to attaining enlightenment? Did she make any friends? Only Byakuren knows for sure, but judging from the smile on her face, she didn't seem unhappy to return.

"I brought Marisa along the last time I came here," chuckled Byakuren. She went on to explain that Marisa kept picking up random stones and mushrooms that, apparently, looked really strange to her. In the end, she brought them back to Gensokyo, along with the rice crackers she bought. Makai is a big place, filled with all kinds of environments, from a massive city with soaring skyscrapers to fields where unintelligible creatures roam. Hokkai, the place where Byakuren was sealed away, is located far from the city.

Both being magicians, Alice and Byakuren seem to have a mutual respect for one another. Seeing Alice smile while appreciating the sights of Makai, Byakuren promised to lend her assistance if she ever needed anything. Blushing slightly, Alice teasingly said that she could probably think of something. Why did Byakuren decide to return to Makai on New Year's Day? Did she simply wish to mark the occasion, or was there some other reason behind it? The Palanquin Ship carried this mystery as it soared over the mysterious landscape.

The view from the Palanquin ship was breathtaking. Looking up, the sky was enchanting, looking down, the scenery was stimulating, and when they closed their eyes, they enjoyed the feeling of Makai's wind blowing past. "I wonder if that temple's still there?" Alice and Byakuren happily chatted away, pointing out everything new and all the places they visited before. A god created this vast world, but it was the people living there that made it what it is today. "Let's go shop for souvenirs over there." "Oh, but that shop has an even better selection." The Palanquin Ship zig-zagged across the sky as they debated where to go first. When the ship finally landed, they disembarked hand-in-hand. "Well, it's New Year's, so..." "Let's visit them all!"