"Sorry about earlier. I just got carried away," the woman says.

Her name is Yuyuko Saigyouji, the ghost-princess of Hakugyokurou. Apparently this place is part of the netherwold of Gensokyo. Normally, living humans can't enter this place, but due to some recent events, the barrier has been weakened enough for humans to pass through. Ghosts sometimes leave the barrier into the realm of the living, but the humans living nearby don't seem to mind it. Youmu helps take care of the shrine and assist with various tasks as her retainer.

"You should take things seriously, Lady Yuyuko! What if he got scared and attacked you?" says Youmu.

"Oh c'mon, I wasn't planning on shocking him to death. Just maybe going invisible and make a few things float around, or make scary sounds. That sort of thing."

Youmu sighs.

"Besides, why did you only arrive now? It's not like you to be late for a meal."

"Oh, I just helped someone out on the way back from the shrine," Yuyuko says. "It was some strangely dressed guy carrying a staff and a book. I think he drove off some wild fairies with some sort of explosion spell, but ended up unconscious in the middle of the road. I left him with Keine before heading home."

"I see. That explains why you seem famished," Youmu says.

Yuyuko is already on her third bowl of rice. How can a ghost eat so much? She turns her head toward Vincent.

"More importantly, I'd like to hear more about our guest here. Ghost hunters are quite rare in Gensokyo."

"Might as well tell the whole story," he mutters. If she knows that much just by looking at him, lying won't be helpful. He tells her everything he told Youmu, minus the part where she tries to stab his head.

"I see. Then you should stay here for the night. It's dangerous to travel alone at night these days, even for youkai. And I insist that you stay as our guest until you get your bearings in this world," Yuyuko says.

"T-thank you very much!" he says. Whatever he expected from a ghost princess, it wasn't this.

"Well then, would you like to talk about something else?" she asks.

Youmu is silently finishing her meal, avoiding your eyes. She seems as confused by the situation as you are.

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