Test of Courage Duo

Reimu Hakurei is a fearless shrine maiden who has resolved countless incidents. She can stare down a powerful youkai or wade through all-consuming darkness without feeling the slightest hint of fear. With a lantern and her youkai-exterminating ofuda in hand, she made her way through the Bamboo Forest of the Lost in the dead of night while showing an unfazed smile to the magician beside her.

Marisa Kirisame is a dauntless magician who has resolved all kinds of incidents. She has mastered incredibly powerful magic, despite being an ordinary human, so she obviously isn't afraid of the dark. Using her mini hakkero as a light, she traversed the unnaturally quiet Bamboo Forest of the Lost while showing a confident smile to the shrine maiden beside her.

A test of courage is exactly what it sounds like. It is a test held in a scary location to see how brave someone is. They are most often held during summer at night. An example of a typical test would be to walk through a forest in the dead of night with only a weak lamp or torch to light your way. The dark, quiet forest puts your senses on edge and makes you subconsciously fear the presence of something lurking in the shadows... It's hard to describe how truly terrifying it is. Apparently, some people take this test to see if they have what it takes to overcome this fear, whereas others undertake it with the hope of encountering something supernatural.

Dark Nurse of News
It was approaching midnight as the two girls walked through the Bamboo Forest of the Lost.
"We can turn back if you're scared, Reimu."
"That's my line. We can stop this right now if you're too chicken to go on, Marisa."
It wasn't clear who initiated the conversation, but their test of courage was well underway. They both wore masks of calm and confidence as they were secretly praying inside...

They prayed for two things. First, that the other girl wouldn't notice that their light-carrying hand was moist with a cold sweat. And second... that the other would give up already and say that they wanted to go home.

Due to their longstanding friendship and rivalry, neither girl could let themselves be the first one to admit defeat without a very good excuse. It was then that a gust of wind hit them, and they opened their mouths in unison... If you ask either of them what happened next, they'd happily reply that they closed their mouths again without uttering a single word.